Crowd Funding Starts For Horror Film “Deep Shock”

The crowd funding campaign has started for Italian horror film “Deep Shock”. The short film is a tribute to much praised Italian giallo and comes from award-winning director Davide Melini. “Deep Shock” is inspired by the most famous horror movies of two of the most important Italian directors: Dario Argento (Deep Red) and Mario Bava (Shock). The Campaign is taking place over on Indiegogo.com with some pretty cool perks so check it out. Also check out the first teaser for the short film below.

Sarah can’t completely overcome the deaths of her grandfather and her older sister. The trauma and lack of sleep cause her to embark on a strange journey of apparitions and murders, apparently caused by her mind. The plot offers the audience the chance to feel identified and be brought to different challenges: rational vs. irrational, thriller vs. horror, life vs. death, good vs. evil… All of this taking into account characteristic elements of the “giallo”.

My Review Of “The Butchers”

Stephen Judd’s serial killer showdown, “The Butchers” takes a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek approach to bringing some of the world’s most notorious killers together on screen. The film stars Semi Anthony, Damien Puckler, Randall Bosley, Cameron Bowen, Braxton Davis, Mara Hall, Jacob Hobbs, Tonya Kay, Christy Keller, Charito Mertz, Milly Sanders, Ire Wardlaw. Also in the film are Rick Williamson, Hawk Walts, Mary LeGault, Marion Kopf, Gary Kasper, and John C. Epperson as the six serial killers [ Ed Gein, Albert Fish, John Wayne Gacy, Jack The Ripper, The Zodiac Killer, Jeffrey Dahmer]. The plot has the six killers coming to blows with a group of travelers whose bus breaks down outside of a ghost town turned tourist trap focusing on the life and crimes of these vicious serial killers. The crap goes down when Semi’s character, JB, sets out conjure the killers, whom he shares a kindred spirit with, then is interrupted by the arrival of the stranded group.

“The Butchers” has a creative concept going for it, bringing together these infamous killers. All of whom are just as likely to go for each other as the collection of victims thrown in their path. Judd plays up the fun side of horror with overdrawn characters that have no real dimension, acting only as meat for the grinder. The acting is as low budget as it gets in this sort of shtick, but there is no real attempt to pass the characters off as anything more so isn’t too annoying. There are a few actors that give decent performances and the direction Stephen Judd takes telling the story make it understood that this is cheap, sensationalized, slaughterfest fun.

The special effects are a blend of CGI and practical effects. The CGI is within reason and keeps focus on the occult aspects displayed. The majority of the kill scenes and gore are practical methods that, although on the cheaper side, work well to create some gruesome moments. The blood and guts of the horror elements are the real treat in this film. Some of the scenes actually come off better than other moments, even for a low budget film there is some pretty sweet moments in “The Butchers”. Just keep in mind this is a fun romp where carnage is king. Thankfully the dialog stays short and in context to the situation so I was able to enjoy the film more than I would if the writing required the actors to get theological, or wordy. The sound effects and overall atmosphere does good to keep the energy level up on “The Butchers” so I didn’t really feel any lag.

“The Butchers” is not a deep, witty, horror story. The film stays pretty straight horror, leaning toward a comedy edge. The real sell is the blood and gore which for a low budget film gives good gore. The highlight of this one is the killers themselves. On screen, as they clash with one another and the victims, the story becomes really entertaining. “The Butcher” may not appeal to all horror fans, mostly because of the simple story, cheap thrills and gimmicks, plus some of the effects fall short of when it comes to being effective. However, for what it is, this is a fun, entertaining indie horror worthy of a once over. There is a lot things that are disappointing, but there are also some moments that really shine.

My Review Of “The Upper Footage”

First I have to say that I find the whole “found footage” subgenre really tiresome. Most forget the golden rules that the film must abide by, no over produced, creativity or effects cluttering the footage; none of that bulky explanatory dialog justifying the scene or set-up; and no camera shots that step out of the found footage concept-these things destroy authenticity of the film. Also a lot of directors and writers forget that the story has to be somewhat realistic to established human behavior in said situations so most of the stuff coming out is sh*t. Of course this just my personal assessment of the subgenre. If I see a film step out or ignore these guidelines I usually turn of the movie. That being said, on to my thoughts toward “The Upper Footage”.

Writer/Director Justin Cole obviously understands the rules of found footage styled film-making because he successfully creates a believable, terrifying event that manages to feel real, look like something that should not have been caught on camera, and is entertaining as h*ll. The acting and scene shots are disturbing pieces that come together to make one horrifying account. From the debauched folderol of spoiled, rich kid escapades that start this story I felt an unsettling feeling come over me that lasted to the bitter end. The emotional connection I felt for the victim was at times sickening and intense.

The cinematography used for “The Upper Footage” stays within the confines of what would be plausible for this situation. It never goes beyond the poorly produced, camcorder footage-of course it is footage caught with the best equipment rich kid money could buy so every moment is watchable, gritty and powerful. There isn’t a bunch of post-editing effects that distort the footage beyond what works for authenticity and the added use of social media and tabloid TV footage is perfect. If I wasn’t such a gossip blog whore I would have believed these to be real Hollywood elitist brats. The material presented to us by Cole is just that spot-on.

There is a small lull in the stories momentum about midway, but every movie has that problem. With this film the lull happens during all the panicked screaming at each other the characters get wrapped up in. It is acceptable because in this context it has to be there. Otherwise the high octane, chilling climb upward would start to feel too sensational and contrived. Luckily it doesn’t last long and the second half of this horrendous tale pushes you right back into that uncomfortable, sickening feeling. “The Upper Footage” is truly a great piece of found footage horror that proves the subgenre still has plenty to offer to all horror fans. Even though this isn’t “real” footage of some poor girls demise, I had to remind myself of that fact constantly. Definitely check “The Upper Footage” out, it is a disturbing nightmare that stays with you well after watching the film.

New Poster And Details For “The Sleeping Room”

Hitting the American Film Market is upcoming horror film “The Sleeping Room”, and it gives us a terrifying new masked killer for our nightmares. “The Sleeping Room” is directed by John Shackleton and stars Julie Graham, Leila Mimmack, Joseph Beattie, Christopher Adamson, Chris Waller.

When feisty teenage call girl Blue is dispatched to a run-down Regency town house in the seaside resort of Brighton, she is surprised to discover her new client is a good looking young man, Bill, who is renovating the abandoned Victorian brothel.

Among the artifacts left behind is an antique penny arcade Mutoscope. Dropping an old penny in the slot, Blue is intrigued to see a Victorian sex scene played out for the camera between a sinister masked man and two young girls.

After Bill fails to perform in the bedroom, Blue discovers a two-way mirror and a hidden room that she and Bill pry open. Entering the Sleeping Room, where the girls rested between clients, Blue finds herself drawn to the faces in one particular faded photograph and a disturbing presence unnerves them both. Blue’s violent pimp Freddie and partner Cynthia know full well about the old brothel and perverted Frisky Fiskin who’s extreme sexual tastes included family members and sadistic acts. Many girls disappeared and there were rumors Fiskin held moving picture parties for Victorian society depicting their murders.

Delving into the archives to find out more about Frisky Fiskin and the disappeared girls, Blue learns of a disturbing connection between Fiskin and her own mother who had inexplicably murdered her elderly parents before killing herself when Blue was a child. Determined to reveal its secrets, Blue returns to the brothel and Bill only to discover herself trapped with the past returning to life and Frisky Fiskin once again on the hunt for a young prey to satisfy his depraved needs.

Official Trailer Released For “Zombie Massacre 2: Reich Of The Dead”

The official trailer has been released for “Zombie Massacre 2: Reich Of The Dead”. The film is directed by Luca Boni and stars Andrew Harwood Mills, Aaron Stielstra, Ally McClelland, Dan van Husen, Lucy Drive. “ZM2” is produced by Uwe Boll.

Set in WWII, this is the story of a bunch of American soldiers fighting against a horde of zombies created by the Nazis using the prisoners of the camps… They have only one night to save their own lives, but the enemy is stronger and stronger.

International Trailer And Poster For Horror Film “Clown”

An international trailer and poster have been released for Eli Roth produced horror film “Clown”. The film stars Peter Stormare, Eli Roth, Laura Allen, Elizabeth Whitmere and is directed by Jon Watts. “Clowns” will hit Italian theatres on November 13th, 2014.

A loving father finds a clown suit for his son’s birthday party, only to realize the suit is part of an evil curse that turns its wearer into a killer.

Teaser Trailer Released For “Summer Camp”

Check out the teaser trailer for “Summer Camp”. The film comes from the guys behind “REC” and offers a new twist on the kids lost in the woods story. “Summer Camp” is directed by Alberto Marini and stars Diego Boneta, Maiara Walsh, Jocelin Donahue, Andrés Velencoso.