Blanc-Biehn Production Slated To Show Six Films At AFM

Actress, producer and director Jennifer Blanc-Biehn (Everly, Havenhurst, The Victim) and Husband/Actor/Director/Producer Michael Biehn (The Victim, The Terminator, Aliens) will be screening six films from Blanc/Biehn Productions, all of which will be for sale to markets at the American Film Market (AFM) November 5^th through November 12^th in Santa Monica, California. For more information please go to http://www.americanfilmmarket.com.

Blanc/Biehn will host 2 screenings of the film ‘Hidden in The Woods,’ with the film’s international distributor Dimitri Stephanides of WTF in attendance. The film ‘The Girl’ will be represented by Taylor & Dodge. “Treachery”, for foreign sales, will be represented by Yossi Becher and Richie Chance through Wonderworks, who are working on other films produced by Blanc/Biehn Productions.

‘Hidden in the Woods’ is a dark controversial remake of the Spanish-language thriller based on a true story. ‘The Girl’ is a harrowing tale of a kidnapped girl who is rescued by a young boy, and in return is compelled to save him from the horrors that lie in his home. ‘Treachery’ is a tense thriller that takes place during a violent storm, trapping a wedding party inside a remote house for a very long weekend. What was supposed to be joyous marriage celebration quickly disintegrates as an already tense father/son relationship, turns darker, unraveling a barrage of deep-seeded secrets that spiral into a dangerous web of lies, deceit and treachery.

‘Hidden in the Woods’ Screenings:
Thursday, Nov. 6th - 11:00 AM - Fairmont #2
Sunday, Nov. 9th - 5:00 PM - Fairmont #2
http://www.thefilmcatalogue.com/catalog/FilmDetail.php?id=17887

Founded in 1981, the American Film Market (AFM) quickly became the premiere global marketplace where Hollywood’s decision-makers and trendsetters all gather under one roof. AFM is the largest annual motion picture trade event where 8,000 film & TV industry leaders from 70 countries come for 8 days of deal-making, conference & more Unlike a film festival, the AFM is a marketplace where production and distribution deals are closed. In just eight days, more than $800 million in deals will be sealed — on both completed films and those in every stage of development and production — making AFM the must-attend industry event.

Official Trailer For “Starry Eyes” Released

The first official trailer for “Starry Eyes” has been released. The film is directed by Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer and stars Alex Essoe, Amanda Fuller, Noah Segan, Fabianne Therese, Shane Coffey. “Starry Eyes” is slated for release VOD and iTunes November 14th.

Determined to make it as an actress in Hollywood, Sarah Walker spends her days working a dead-end job, enduring petty friendships and going on countless casting calls in hopes of catching her big break. After a series of strange auditions, Sarah lands the leading role in a new film from a mysterious production company. But with this opportunity comes bizarre ramifications that will transform her both mentally and physically into something beautiful… and altogether terrifying.

Trailer Released For “Bugs 3D”

Check out the trailer for China’s sci-fi / creature feature, “Bugs 3D”. The film is a throwback to the classic Hollywood B-movies of the sixties and seventies, "Bugs 3D" also owes a debt to the likes of Korean blockbuster "The Host 괴물" (2006). “Bugs 3D” stars Xia Zi Tong 夏梓桐,  Zilin Zhang 张梓琳.

In the near future, due to a huge demand for protein, scientists have developed a synthetic alternative that has rapidly spread around the world. Jams is a brilliant but fanatic geneticist and has managed to raise super bugs that can provide high-quality protein at a low-cost. However,  the reproduction of the bugs goes out of control and they break out of the tubes, devour scientists, and turn into giant monsters. 

These monster bugs are hankering after flesh and blood, and swarm into the sea waiting to rage a holocaust.Some brave souls are bold enough to jump onto the ship where the bug queen resides in hope to end the war by killing it. They know - if they don’t succeed, mankind will be doomed.

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.