My Review Of "Blood Moon"

Western horror "Blood Moon" is directed by is directed by Jeremy Wooding and stars Shaun Dooley, George Blagden, Amber Jean Rowan, Corey Johnson, Anna Skellern, Raffaello Degruttola, Jack Fox, Eleanor Matsuura, George Webster, Kerry Shale, Ian Whyte. The film takes the classic look and feel of the western film and mixes in some horror that is fused with both contemporary and traditional horror, with witty dialog, even paced story development, and well produced visual effects. "Blood Moon" maintains a serious, but entertaining approach to the "cowboys vs werewolf" theme.

Synopsis: 1887. In a deserted mining town in Colorado, a stagecoach full of passengers and an enigmatic gunslinger find themselves prisoners of two outlaws. As the travelers attempt to escape, it becomes apparent that a bigger menace lurks outside; a beast that only appears on the night of a blood moon.

First off I was impressed with the direction that Wooding took in creating this unique First Nations People mythos of Skinwalkers as opposed to the more classical Eastern European concepts. Native lore from the Americas is a complex and vividly fascinating spiritual and mythological web of shapeshifters, magic, and superstitions that doesn't often get such a fresh, mature light shown on the beliefs. A lot of films tend to lean more toward spoof, comical, or exaggeration when telling skinwalker stories. "Blood Moon" keeps it straight forward, intense, and  yes -at times-scary. One of the few films that made me jump in some of the more chilling scenes. 

The creature effects and overall use of practical effects is worth applauding! Wooding could have opted for heavy CGI effects when bringing this beast to light, but instead chose to keep the CGI at bare minimum. It really puts the werewolf fan back in the mindset of classic horror like "American Werewolf In London" and "The Wolfman". Although in this case the creature design is more of a hybrid of the two concepts, and looks more like a massive beast morphed into a humanoid monster. Plus the music, atmosphere, and over all cinematography has a creepy, Hammer-esque vibe to it that really screams creature feature. 

Overall "Blood Moon" is a true, modern classic and one of the coolest werewolf films that I have seen in the last several years. At first based on the first 10 minutes I thought I was going to be bored. The characters seemed cliche, redundant and two-dimensional. That notion falls apart almost right about the time 10 minutes is up! The characters come alive, the dialog zings, and the story just gets you into the vision that Wooding is going for. The creature, the mythos, and the style choice really makes this film a great add to any horror fans collection. Especially the shapeshifter, werewolf fan. I fell in love with the story based on the authentic approach to showing the Navajo system of belief without making it look or feel "hokey". Definitely check out "Blood Moon". The ending is not a big bang like you hope for when watching man vs beast films like this but it isn't really disappointing either. 

"Lake Runs Red" To Release Trailer No. 2 On August 11th!

  INDIE HORROR “LAKE RUNS RED” TO RELEASE 2ND OFFICIAL TRAILER ON AUGUST 11TH!

The producers of “Lake Runs Red,” an independently produced home-invasion horror feature, are proud to

announce the upcoming release of their 2nd official 

trailer on Tuesday August 11th, 2015, via YouTube.com/LakeRunsRed.

This 2nd official trailer focuses on "Gwen," the film's dispassionate and pretentious mother with a dark, mysterious past. The multi-talented and indomitable Helene Donohue, an experienced actress and singer, plays "Gwen" in a supporting role.

"Lake Runs Red" is employing a unique trailer strategy for their marketing campaign. Instead of releasing a standard two minute trailer, the film is instead releasing five character trailers, each focusing on one of the main characters from the film. This is the 2nd official trailer in a series of five, the remaining three will be released over the balance of the Autumn months.

"There's quite a bit of mystery surrounding the "Gwen" character and her unusual behavior in our story," said director and co-writer Jason Riesgraf. He continued, "We needed an actress with a powerful and experienced presence to pull off this nuanced and pivotal role. Helene Donohue certainly delivered the required intensity in her performance. I'm incredibly pleased with how her scenes turned out."

Added Stephanie Riesgraf, producer and unit production manager, "The Gwen trailer was the #1 favorite (of the five trailers) as voted by our cast and crew. It definitely packs a punch. We're beyond thrilled to be launching this particular vignette."

Today, Red Ratio Entertainment also publicly announced a new release time frame for "Lake Runs Red." The film, currently in post-production, has been rescheduled to debut in 2016 to accommodate a higher volume of film festivals.

"Lake Runs Red" previously released their first official trailer, entitled "Bruce", on July 14th, 2015 to incredible fanfare. For more information please visit LakeRunsRed.com and connect with us on Twitter @LakeRunsRed.  

Release Date Set For "Blood Moon"

Uncork'd Entertainment and Jinga Films have announced the US and Canadian release of Jeremy Wooding's Wild West werewolf mash up BLOOD MOON with a DVD and VOD street date of September 1st 2015.  

Shaun Dooley (The Women In Black), George Blagden  (Vikings), Anna Skellern (The Descent II) and Corey Johnson (Captain Philips) star in BLOOD MOON, a werewolf Western set in a remote mining town where a stagecoach full of passengers are held hostage by two outlaws on the run from the law. But events take an unexpected turn when the group fall prey to a mythical creature known to locals as a skin walker. They must settle their differences and combine their strengths if they re going survive the night of a blood red Moon.

BLOOD MOON received its World premier at FrightFest and has since participated in Dublin Horrorthon, Fantasporto, Brussels Fantastic Film Festival, Weekend of Fear, Grossmann Fantastic Film Festival, Buchon Fantastic Film Festival and Ravenna Nightmare where it received the Audience Award for Best Film.

Although set in the US, BLOOD MOON was filmed on location in Kent, England where the producers found a replica wild west town. BLOOD MOON is only the second Western to be filmed in the UK, the first being CARRY ON COWBOY in 1966.

Studiocanal will announce a UK release date in the next few weeks. 

Blood Moon Trailer from Jinga Films on Vimeo.

Promo Tease For Official "Deadpool" Trailer Is Aiming For Your Ass!

Check out the latest for "Deadpool" which is aiming to damage some ass with the official trailer release. This film just gets me more amp'd. "Deadpool" has chosen to forego the more kid friendly comic book film fan, instead hitting a more adult R-rated fan. Which really is one of the things that will make this film a success. The comic con trailer leak set the web on fire with excitement. "Deadpool" doesn't land till 2016. Are we there yet?

Based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, DEADPOOL tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

"Deadpool" is directed by Tim Miller and stars Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano, Brianna Hildebrand. Hit up "Deadpool" on Facebook to keep up-to-date on the film.

When you're stuck in a day 
that's gray, 
and lonely...
Just stick out your chin, 
and grin,
and say...
everything looks sexier in red.

Release Details And Official Trailer For Anthology "Forgotten Tales"

Press Release:

SGL Entertainment has just inked a deal with Reyna Young and Last Doorway Productions for the Worldwide Distribution of FORGOTTEN TALES. Take a roller-coaster ride in terror as we follow these unlucky souls on their journey through this amazing anthology horror movie.

SYNOPSIS: Newly divorced Maggie (Connie Jo Sechrist) has a few unexpected guests in her new home scaring her to the bone or are they trying to tell her something? A babysitting job for Claire (Kelsey Zukowski) may not be such a good idea with a serial killer on the loose. Want to be an actress? Sounds good until you end up being the director’s obsession! Poor Shannon (Reyna Young) will have to learn that the hard way. Three bone chilling Tales in the vein of Creepshow and Tales from the Crypt, Directed by Reyna Young (Welcome to My Darkside, Doll Murder Spree).

Screenplay By, Reyna Young, Directed by Reyna Young, Produced By Reyna Young, John Gillette and Ken Constantine.

The Movie Stars: Alex Bretow, Kelsey Zukowski, Wyzae Crankfield, Maureen Whelan, Harold Whitson, Andrew Stone, Reyna Young, Connie Jo Sechrist, Shotzi Blakk Heartt, Sarah Wallis, Judy Cerda, Annalisa Bastiani, Greg Russell Tiderington, Slammin Sam, Jeanne Ladysage, Gerry Munoz and Monique Van De Plas

Forgotten Tales will be Available in the US and Canada on Blu-ray, DVD, Comcast Xfinity Cable TV and the Top VOD Sites like iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play, M-GO and More in early 2016 via SGL Entertainment with their partners MVD Visual and Indie Rights Distribution. SGL Entertainment is headed up by Jeffrey A. Swanson and Damien Dante with Massimiliano Cerchi handling Foreign Distribution.

My Review Of "Grim Reapers"

"Grim Reapers" is an indie horror directed by Cade Saint and stars Andrew Wilson Williams, Ryan Patrick Williams, Henry Friedman, Kelsey McDonald, Charlie Friedman. The film blends classic giallo styled aspects with some Tai West influenced storytelling. "Grim Reaper" hinges more on psychological horror with heavy atmosphere and suspense, but stays very tame when it comes to exploiting the available concepts of the horror genre.

Synopsis: While Jay, a young teenager, searches for his missing father at a remote house in the woods. Something dark and sinister begins to stalk and terrorize he and his friends. 

Saint's movie is a slow-burn psychological character driven drama with simple, direct dialog, spooky atmospheric scenes framed obscurely or artistically that really plays up the more emotional, anticipation effect. "Grim Reapers" deals with a tragedy that leaves family members grappling at reasons for why it happened? It is a darker story, and there is no real "white light" outcome for those searching for resolution, or understanding to the tragedy. There is only more tragedy told in semi-tense flare reminiscent of directors like Derek Cole and Jordan Pacheco. 

The cinematography and blend of classic obscure angles, and claustrophobic close up shots are amazingly well handled for a first time feature director working on a indie film with a budget this low, The direction that Cade Saint has taken is an even-paced, practical style that-in the dramatic, reminds me of giallo with the concentrated focus on the character development/emotional side of story telling. The splash of bright colors off-setting darker shadowy scenes, the instrumental music score that accompanies the moments all are reminiscent of that classic psychological thriller style. Then the casual, short dialog scenes mixed with the shaky camera "wordless" action scenes that move the story along have a more modern, "retro-visioned" effect to the movie that gives me a Tai West feel. The down side is that the plot is not layered, or all that deep, and we never really know why it is happening, or how it came to be that this is the fate of these characters. Which is often the case in life. Sometimes things just happen-freaky, nightmarish, paranormal things that have no reason. 

The special effects are mostly "scare tactics" meant to give sudden shock response from the viewer, with some creepy, background shadowy effects and the build up of suspense providing most of the chilling nature that brings in the horror aspects to "Grim Reapers". For the most part this is a very drama, psychological driven movie, with the only real "horror" moments happening in the final scenes of the film. It is a bit frustrating, you wait for quite awhile for anything that most horror fan's deem "horror" to actually take place, and Saint mildly tiptoes around those scenes instead of giving us full on gratuity of gore. If I had to choose a label for "Grim Reapers"  I would label it "horror light". 

Now honestly if I went into this film as just a horror fan wanting to see some carnage, this film would disappoint me big time. However I love the art of cinema so there is so much more that sparks value in me when watching horror or sci-fi movies than just the kills, and gore. Overall "Grim Reaper" will not fit with what is traditionally known as "horror genre" fans. There isn't enough scares or gore to delight hardcore horror fans here, but considering the emotional, above par production level, atmospheric cinematography, and quality sound of "Grim Reaper" I am pretty impressed with Cade Saint's directorial debut. I don't consider it to be straight up horror, more of psychological thriller that ends on a very horrific note. Watch with patience.

My Review Of "Reunion"

Shawn Chou directed "Renunion" is a modern day nightmare about an ultimate mother from hell. It is a psychological horror both atmospheric and dramatic. "Reunion" stars Maria Olsen, Jack Turner, Cara Santana, Sarah Schreiber, Reign Morton, Ruth Reynolds, Christopher Wolfe, Lucas Barker, William Leon, Arrielle Brachfeld, Leif Gantvoort and Matthew Jaeger. The logline reads: "An unstable mental patient goes on an overnight rampage to terrorize an ex-rock star and his friends, only to discover she is linked to him in mysterious ways."

Synopsis: Mia is a mental patient haunted by a disembodied voice who claims to know how to find her missing son. She escapes from the psych ward where she resides, assuming that her child is being held captive at a house occupied by an ex-rock star, Brad, and his friends. Convinced that Brad is her estranged husband responsible for abducting her son, Mia imprisons him and his friends in the house, forcing them into an inescapable nightmare filled with horrifying consequences. As the night progresses and the body count rises, Brad and Mia unearth a dark connection between them that will alter their lives forever.

"Reunion" is tense, suspenseful horror story that digs up personal emotion, cradled in nightmares of a darker past that when revealed rips at the heart of domestic, and familial fears. Cryptic I know! Lets just say that Bert Havird fuses classic slasher concepts with more psychological thriller aspects that are build on shattered family and a lost past. When it unfolds to reveal that relationships of these tragic characters, the story goes dark, and full speed into intense thriller mode. Elements of the story reminded me of Jonathan Darby's writing on "Hush" , and at moments there is a mash-up of emotion and energy that made me think of "Hand The Rocks The Cradle" writer Amanda Silver. Except this is a more contemporary nightmare closer to slasher cinema than your basic psychological thriller. 

The special effects are a blend of gory, bloody slice'n'dice practical effects, and surreal like atmosphere with a very visceral component that really gets in good with the gruesome nature of the story and the fate of these characters. The soundtrack is mix of macabre sound effects and indie music that give "Reunion" a nice balance between the dramatic scenes, and the more gruesome ones. It is very complementary to the overall attitude, and almost romantic vision of terror that Chou offers up. Romantic not in the style of story but in the love that is apparent between Chou, Havird, and the cast chosen style of telling this very intense, organic nightmare. Overall I think "Reunion" is a great indie horror with heart, depth, and intensity. It isn't full on slasher, gorefest but considering the last half of the story and the touching, emotional past of the mother and son's lives, it is very compelling to say the least. Check it out!