Check out the teaser trailer for a new film called, HUMAN FACTOR

 I just got a press release announcing a new film that sounds very intriguing. The film is called HUMAN FACTOR and is about a place called Metro City, where suddenly all of the homeless population begins turning up dead.   This is an interesting premise, and I assume will turn out to be some kind of serial killer film where the killer targets homeless people.   Should be interesting for sure, and I was really surprised by the amazing cast assembled for this film. 
 The film stars Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight, Chillerama), Tom Sizemore (Natural Born Killers, True Romance), Danny Trejo (Machete, Predators), Charisma Carpenter (Expendables), David Zayas (Dexter), George Lazenby (old 007 "In Her Majestys Secret Service"), Shalim Ortiz (CSI: Miami, Heroes), Keith David, Kim Sønderholm, Laci Kay, Walker Howard, Deborah Twiss, Doug Jones, Ben Cross, Gary Daniels and many others!

We don't have much info right now, mainly just this teaser trailer, but I'm sure we will be hearing more about this closer to the release date.


CLICK HERE to watch the teaser trailer

A Belated Christmas Gift from Breaking Glass Pictures!!

Hey guys and gals!  I am a sucker for a sale or a good deal, so I was super excited to check my email and see this great offer from the fine folks over at Breaking Glass Pictures!   They are giving you a chance to snag some DVD's and Blu-rays for $6 off the already low prices they have over at their shop!  Here is the official press announcement that was sent to me:

Bring in the New Year with Breaking Glass Pictures and Vicious Circle Films! We wanted to thank all of our horror press outlets for an excellent 2011. So in the spirit of the holiday BGP is offering horror fans a $6 discount off the already reduced price of each horror title in the catalog of films. This discount will bring consumers DVDs and Blu Rays for close to the wholesale price!  It’s as easy as going to the Breaking Glass store www.shop.breakingglasspictures.com choosing as many horror titles as your heart desires and then using the code horrorholiday readers will receive $6 off of each already discounted title.  This opportunity will not last forever so be sure to take advantage of it while you can.  And be sure to have a horrifying holiday!!

What an awesome deal!  Be sure to check out the Breaking Glass Pictures shop and also follow them on Twitter and Facebook!

www.Breakingglasspictures.com

www.facebook.com/BreakingGlassPictures

www.twitter.com/BreakingGlassPX

I hope you all had a Scary Christmas!!

I hope you all had a great Christmas holiday!  It's that time of year that I like to show you the horror related items I got for Christmas this year, and hear all about what you got too!!  

I got some great horror related items this year..first up, is the book HORROR MOVIE FREAK by Don Sumner.  This looks to be a super cool book with lots of great info and cool color photos.  It even comes with a DVD of the original NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD! 

I also got some cool horror related  Xbox 360 games!   I got RED DEAD REDEMPTION: UNDEAD NIGHTMARE,   RISE OF NIGHTMARES, and the one I am most excited about, DEAD ISLAND!!






So, now I want to know what all horror related gifts you got this year!  What was your favorite gift...what was your creepiest or scariest gift?  Leave a comment below!

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Here are the Horror related DVD's that came out today, 12/27:
(click a title to see a trailer for that film)

* THE AMITYVILLE HAUNTING  [DVD & Blu-ray]
* APOLLO 18  [DVD & Blu-ray]
* CHOP
* FINAL DESTINATION 5 [DVD & Blu-ray]
* HOSTEL 3

DVD Review: A CADAVER CHRISTMAS (2011)

   
A CADAVER CHRISTMAS
Directed by:  Joe Zerull

It's getting closer to Christmas, so this will be my last post for a few days while I spend time with family and friends over the next few days and nights.  What better way to end it than with another Christmas themed horror flick.  This time, we have director Joe Zerull's independent feature film, A CADAVER CHRISTMAS.  Here is the basic plot of the film from imdb.com:

United by terrifying and bizarre circumstances, the janitor, the drunk, the bartender, the cop, his perp, and the student security guard must fight to undo the professor's work. A dark force is at work in the cadaver lab this Christmas and this unconventional band of heroes are the only hope the world has against an army of living corpses that are quickly recruiting new members. The undead have been given the gift of life and it's up to the janitor to take it back.

This was a very fun film, and one I would definitely recommend.  I love zombie films, and you just don't find too many zombie Christmas films, so it is good that we have A CADAVER CHRISTMAS!

The film is a very low budget film, but the filmmakers do the best with what they have.  I am primarily talking about the gore effects.   The zombies themselves aren't too impressive  (although as the janitor will tell you, these are not actually zombies, just reanimated cadavers), but it is the zombie kills that are most impressive.  This is especially noticeable in the final climax of the film when our survivors go off on the zombies in a rampage of gun blasts and exploding heads, all set to the tune of a the beautiful Christmas song, O Holy Night.  That scene was brilliant for many reasons, but the contrast of that beautiful song set against the gore and massacring occurring on screen was very effective.

The acting in this film was great, especially for a film of this caliber and with no star actors.  There was as much humor in this film as there was horror, so you can enjoy this film in both aspects.

One more cool thing about this film I want to mention is the way that is was shot.  It was very stylistic with some great camera angles and shots.  Also, the film is made to look like an old theater print of a film, complete with scratch marks and debris that used to get on the film and show up on screen.  That and some saturated colors and tones give this film a 70's or early 80''s grindhouse feel to it.

Again, I highly recommend you check this one out.  This will be essential viewing for me every Christmas from here on out for sure!

Merry Christmas everyone!!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to visit the official website and purchase the DVD  (click on the Merchandise section)

DVD Review: DON'T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS (1984)

   

DON'T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS
Directed by  Edmund Purdom
Distributed by Mondo Macabro / TLA Releasing

Just in time for Christmas comes this little known slasher flick from Mondo Macabro and the great folks at TLA Releasing.  TLA is selling this film under their TLA Cult line.   I say this film is "little known" because I, for one, had never heard of it before.  Maybe some of you already knew about this one, but I sure didn't.  I am glad I finally got to know about this film, even if it is 27 years after it's initial release! For those of you like me that aren't familiar with this film, here is the basic plot synopsis from TLAcult.com:

It's Christmas time in London - the season of good will to all men. A time for celebration, a time for family, a time for presents. This year, it's also time for a masked maniac to be let loose on the streets. His intended victims are chosen at random but they all have one thing in common: they are dressed in the flowing white beard and bright red robes of Santa Claus.
The police are baffled as the horrific death toll rises. Fourteen dead Santas and only three killing days left until Christmas.

 This is a classic 80's slasher film that at first seems to be a little short on plot, focusing more on just the killings, but changes toward the end with a plot twist and the reveal of the killer.   All the elements of a great 80's slasher film are contained in DON'T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS, including bad 80's hair and clothes, synthesized background sounds and music, gratuitous nudity, and some bad overacting.   All this adds up to a blast from the past when watching this film.   Most everyone will agree that the 80's was the best decade for slasher flicks, so getting to see a new one that I hadn't seen before was quite a treat!

Like all great slasher flicks, there is plenty of blood in this film.  The effects are really good including a stabbing scene so realistic I still wonder how they did it and a castration scene that will make me think twice when using a public restroom ever again!   

The killer is targeting people in Santa costumes and the flashback as to why that is will make you understand why those in Santa suits are getting singled out.   The only thing I didn't understand is why (when it is all over the news and paper that there is a killer on the loose targeting those dressed in Santa costumes) there are are so many people still dressing in Santa suits out in public!

DON'T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS was definitely a fun find and one I will be adding to my yearly holiday viewing schedule from here on out.   

The DVD is packed with some cool extra features including:

* 52 minute "Making Of" feature
*  Documentary about producer Dick Randall
*  Trailers
*  Extensive production notes
*  Mondo Macabro previews


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Here are the Horror related DVD's coming out Tuesday, 12/20:
(click a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  THE BOSTON STRANGLER: THE UNTOLD STORY
*  BURKE & HARE
*  THE DEVIL
*  JULIA'S EYES
*  SAINT NICK
*  STRAW DOGS (2011) [DVD & Blu-ray]

DVD Review: PEEPING BLOG (2011)

 
PEEPING BLOG
Written & Directed by  Creep Creepersin
Distributed by MVD Visual

PEEPING BLOG is a movie I had never heard of until I found it in my mailbox for review.  After "watching" this film, I can see now why I have never heard of it....it is not worth talking about!
Here is the plot synopsis from the MVD website:

The Peeper has a "how to" website on peeping and stalking called Peeping Blog. On this site he gives advice and helpful hints on those who want to stalk people. Tonight though, he has a new camera and will document his peeping of his new victim. When an unexpected guest shows up at his victims home, he is trapped inside. He must decide if he wants to get caught, make a run for it, or do the unthinkable and take his stalking to the next level of murder.

I never like to talk bad about some one's film....as an aspiring filmmaker myself, I know how much hard work goes into making a film.  BUT.....this film was awful.  Notice I put the term  "watching" in quotes above?  I did that because to be honest, I didn't watch every second of this film...because most of the time I was fast forwarding the DVD until something good happened.   Unfortunately, I ended up fast forwarding through probably 75% of this film.  

The film starts out with a guy in a car filming himself driving around...the camera is pointed out the front window so you get a first person perspective of the "action".  You see him drive down the road, then another road, then through a parking lot and then back through the parking lot, then around in circles in the parking lot for some reason, and so on.  After about 5 minutes of that, the fast forward button was put into use. Later we see the peeper is in a woman's apartment and he watches her as she watches TV, then she eats food!  Then a friend of hers comes over and they....are you ready for this....talk on the couch!!!   Really?   I expected a lot more out of film who's cover boasts the quote "the PARANORMAL ACTIVITY" of stalker films".  The originator of this quote, horrorgrind  (whatever that is), has apparently never seen PARANORMAL ACTIVITY or any decent stalker films before this film, because comparing this film to that is a complete joke.

This movie has a good concept, but it was just not executed well at all.  The film is listed with a running time of 75 minutes, which was about 70 minutes too long for this film.   This would have made a great short film, but it did not have enough substance to warrant a full feature running time. I don't know anything about this director, Creep Creepersin, other than the fact that he has a cool name.  I only wish this film was as cool as his name.  I think I was sent another film for review by this director (Creep Creepersin's Frankenstein), hopefully that film will be better than this one.  Look for that review coming soon.   Until then, my advice is to steer clear of PEEPING BLOG, this one is a real stinker.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Check out the great zombie short film, TOO LATE

My buddy Caleb has brought another great item to my attention that he thought my readers would enjoy.  This time it is the zombie short film, TOO LATE.  I can't say too much about it, because I dont' want to ruin the surprise ending.  It is only about 2 minutes long, so take a couple of minutes to watch this now!  You will be glad you did!

CLICK HERE to watch TOO LATE


TOO LATE credits:
Directed & Edited: Rani Naamani
Makeup & Set Dressing: Nedy Acet
Performance: Nelson Brown
Color Correction & FX: Carlos Puertolas           

Book Review: DEAD OF WINTER by Brian Moreland

------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker------

 

DEAD OF WINTER

by Brian Moreland

Release Date: January 3, 2012

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

 

If you are not familiar with author Brian Moreland already, there is a good bet you will be very soon. Why? I would wager that he will be one of the premiere horror writers of this decade. I just finished his novel DEAD OF WINTER, and I have to tell you: it’s a damn good read.

 

If you have not heard of DEAD OF WINTER, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the press release:

 

A predator stalks the frozen woods. At a fort deep in the Ontario wilderness in 1870, a ghastly predator is attacking colonists and spreading a gruesome plague - his victims turn into ravenous cannibals with an unending hunger for human flesh. Inspector Tom Hatcher has faced a madman before, when he tracked down Montreal’s infamous Cannery Cannibal. But can even he stop the slaughter this time?

 

In Montreal, exorcist Father Xavier visits an asylum where the Cannery Cannibal is imprisoned. But the killer who murdered thirteen women is more than just a madman who craves human meat. He is possessed by a shape-shifting demon. Inspector Hatcher and Father Xavier must unravel the mystery that has spanned centuries and confront a predator that has turned the frozen woods into a killing ground where evil has come to feed.

 

DEAD OF WINTER is a historical fiction novel that combines several different genre elements into a wicked and wild ride. It is a unique and twisted foray into terrifying fun.

 

The story puts the reader directly into the middle of the action, starting with page one. That was one of the major aspects that drew me into the book; I’m not a big fan of long, drawn out openings. Moreland masterfully kicks DEAD OF WINTER off with a bang and then keeps on going like a perpetual fright machine.

 

Moreland’s writing style is excellent, with quick, flowing prose that never dawdles. The action is quick, the dialogue sharp, and the horror...well, let’s just say that there are several scenes in the book that caused me to have a few sleepless nights. Seriously. I’m not usually one to be affected by things of a horror nature (after all, I saw my first horror movie when I was like eight years-old); but there are things in DEAD OF WINTER that will literally keep you up at night.

 

I have not read any of Brian Moreland’s other books, but I will definitely be picking them up soon. He is a force to be reckoned with and a bright spot in the future of horror fiction. DEAD OF WINTER will be published January 3, 2012. Pick this one up for sure!!

 

-MSB

 

 

CLICK HERE to pre-order the paperback

CLICK HERE to order the e-book

 

 

CLICK HERE to visit the author's official website

We are having a major storm here!

I am about to unplug the computer as we are being hammered with heavy rains and some massive thunder and lightning, so no new post tonight.  
Check back tomorrow night and I should be back up and running with a  new post!

Thanks!!

Zombie Hayes

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Here are the horror related DVD's coming out Tuesday, 12/13:
(click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  FRIGHT NIGHT (1985) [Blu-ray/limited edition]
*  FRIGHT NIGHT (2011) [DVD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray]
*  INTRUDER [Blu-ray]
*  JESSICKA RABID
*  KILL KATIE MALONE [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  KLOWN KAMP MASSACRE
*  LITTLE DEATHS
*  PSYCHO SLEEPOVER
*  THE REFLECTING SKIN

Happy Horrordays from the great folks at Full Moon Entertainment and Dread Central!! Enter the Happy Horrordays Contest today!!

Full Moon Entertainment and Dread Central are partnering up to bring you an awesome contest with tons of great prizes from Full Moon Entertainment!  Entering the contest is super easy and you can win tons of great stuff including the following:

ONE GRAND PRIZE:One (1) $500 Gift Certificate to the Full Moon Direct Store!

TWO First Prize Choices:(pick one)

First Prize (choice 1)
The NEW Puppet Master remastered Blu-ray AND the Puppet Master 10 DVD Box Set

First Prize (choice 2)
The Subspecies remastered Blu-ray AND the Subspecies 5 DVD Box Set

 
TWO Second Prize Choices:(pick one)

Second Prize: (choice 1)
Gingerdead Man 1, 2 and 3: 3 DVD Box Set

Second Prize: (choice 2)
Evil Bong 1, 2 and 3: 3 DVD Box Set

TWO Third Prize Choices:(pick one)

Third Prize (choice 1)
Killer Eye Halloween Haunt DVD

Third Prize (choice 2)
Killjoy 3 DVD

You can enter the contest twice, once from each page, so visit the following pages, follow the instructions and be entered to win these awesome prizes!

Full Moon Horror contest page
Dread Central contest page

Blu-ray Review: MANIAC COP (1988)

   

MANIAC COP
Written by Larry Cohen
Directed by William Lustig
Distributed by Synapse Films

  
MANIAC COP is a film I have always known about, but for one reason or another have just never seen.  The premise sounds cool and it stars two of my favorite horror movie actors  (Bruce Campbell and Tom Atkins), but this was just always slipped past me somehow.   If you haven't seen this film either, now is a perfect time now that the fine folks at Synapse Films have released this brand new high-definition transfer of the original unaltered theatrical release version!  If you are not familiar with the film, here is the basic plot courtesty of the Synapse Films website:

Innocent people are brutally killed on the streets of New York by a uniformed police officer. A young cop, Jack Forrest (Bruce Campbell, TV’s BURN NOTICE and the EVIL DEAD trilogy), finds himself marked as the chief suspect after his wife is murdered. As Lieutenant Frank McCrae (Tom Atkins, DRIVE ANGRY and LETHAL WEAPON) investigates, the death toll rises and he suspects a mysterious police cover-up. This “maniac” cop must be stopped, but it might not be so easy. He seems inhuman, and ready to take on the entire police force, hell-bent on revenge!

I'm not sure why you don't hear more about this film....this film isn't talked about too much, but to me this is a classic slasher flick for sure!  It was at least good enough to garner two sequels and can definitely hold its own when compared with other horror films of the 80's (the greatest decade for horror films in my humble opinion). 

MANIAC COP actually reminded me of a FRIDAY THE 13TH film.  I say that because the killer in this film is a big, hulking man who moves slow and [in the beginning at least] never shows his face.  When we do see his face finally, it is very disfigured and we get a flashback scene to explain why.  Slap a hocky mask on this beastly cop and you could have a FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 8: JASON TAKES MANHATTAN that was actually good!!  HA! 

I loved the fact that this killer was a cop, or at least wore a cop uniform.   Policeman usually are the ones to protect us from the bad guys, so when the main bad guy is a cop, it gives the viewer a real uneasy feeling.  This was noticed right from the start when in the opening scene a lady is mugged by two street hoods.  She gets away and they chase her, but before they can catch her, she spots a policeman in the distance.  She runs to him yelling "Officer! Officer!" and when she gets to him, you can see an instantaneous feeling of safety replace here feeling of panice and dispair.  This feeling of safety and protection is short lived, though, as she sees the officer's face and is lifted off the ground by the neck.  Her neck is snapped and she is tossed aside like a piece of trash.   The thought of someone who is supposed to protect you being the one you have to be aware of is very unsettleing to me.   Another grim aspect of the killer stalking the city being a cop is that all over the city, people now don't trust any of the police officers.  This leads to a very grueling scene in which an innocent cop is shot by a motorist thinking she was about to be attacked by the "maniac cop" on the loose.  

This is a great film and I recommend it for any horror fan.  It was a blas seeing Bruce Campbell in another horror film other than the EVIL DEAD films.    As with all their titles, Synapse Films has released this Blu-ray with tons of awesome special features including the following:

*New 2011 2K HD Restoration of the Original Unaltered Theatrical Release Version
*DTS-HD MA 6.1 Surround / DTS-HD MA 4.0 Surround / DTS HD-MA 2.0 Stereo
*MANIAC COP MEMORIES - Interview with Robert Z'Dar (HD)
*OUT THE WINDOW - Interview with Tom Atkins (HD)
*THREE MINUTES WITH DANNY HICKS Featurette (HD)
*Motion Still Gallery (HD)
*Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots
*Additional Scenes Filmed for Japanese Television
*Spanish Radio Spot


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray


CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Synapse Films

Blu-ray Review: THE WALKIND DEAD (3-Disc Special Edition)

A while back I reviewed the Blu-ray set of  THE WALKING DEAD:  THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON.  You can see that review here.  That was a great Blu-ray set with tons of special features, but now the great folks at Anchor Bay have released this 3-Disc Special Edition of THE WALKING DEAD!  This is by far one of the greatest shows ever shown on TV in my opinion.  Each week it is like watching a short film rather than a TV show.  The production value is so much better than most shows and the acting and story lines are excellent. 

If you are not familiar with this show, this would be a great way to get introduced to it.  Pick up the 3 Disc Special Edition and watch all the episodes back to back, commercial free!   While the show itself is the main draw here, the best part about this set is the awesome special features.  Brand new bonus features on this set include the following:


* Pilot Episode:  The Black & White Version
* Audio Commentaries On All 6 Episodes
* We Are THE WALKING DEAD
* Bring Out The Dead:  KNB And The Art Of Making Zombies
* Digital Decay:  The VFX Of THE WALKING DEAD
* No More Room In Hell:  The Walking Dead Phenomenon
* Adapting The Dead
* Killer Conversations:  Frank Darabont & Greg Nicotero

These special features take you further into the show and are a lot of fun.  I especially enjoyed the "Bring Out The Dead" feature.  I love zombie make up and this show has some of the best ever put on film or TV.   The effects are very well done and it is a lot of fun to see how the make up artist bring these zombies to life...er, so to speak.

I also loved the "We Are The Walking Dead" which chronicles the daily shooting of the show and includes some great behind the scenes stuff and some wonderful zombie audition footage...it is funny seeing an entire room of people there to audition try to walk around like zombies in order to land a role on the show.    This is stuff you normally don't get to see with shows and it is really fun to watch. 

All the special features from the first DVD and Blu-ray release are on this new set as well as the new ones mentioned above.   I would do yourself a favor and pick up this new set, even if you have the older DVD set.  These new special features are worth the prince of the set alone! 


CLICK HERE to watch a trailer for the show
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the 3 Disc Special Edition Blu-ray
CLICK HERE to purchase the 3 Disc Special Edition DVD
CLICK HERE to visit the show's official AMC website

DVD Review: HILLSIDE CANNIBALS (2006)

 

HILLSIDE CANNIBALS

Directed by:  Leigh Scott

Distributed by:  The Asylum Home Entertainment

 

 

I honestly don’t go out of my way to butcher the films that Hayes has me review. I seriously don’t. It’s not like I look at a title and say to myself “Well, that one is going to get worked over pretty good!” But I can’t lie to you...I have to be honest in my assessments. I mean, what kind of credibility would I have as a reviewer if I told you all films were glorious? That’s right...none.

 

I am prefacing my review of HILLSIDE CANNIBALS with this commentary so that you folks won’t think I’m out for any specific company’s or director’s blood. I swear...Scout’s honor! So when I tell you how bad this film sucked, I don’t want you to look at me any differently, either.

 

If you are not familiar with HILLSIDE CANNIBALS, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of The Aslylum's website:

 

The world's most brutal serial killer was born over 400 years ago. Sawney Bean and his family pillaged, slaughtered, and literally devoured thousands of victims. Even today, the inbred clan of cannibals hides in seaside caves feeding on the flesh of those who pass by.

 

I wanted to like this movie, I really did. I mean, how can you NOT like something that is supposedly the basis for one of the creepiest movies of all time (i.e. The Hills Have Eyes)? But unfortunately, I walked away from this film feeling bored and disappointed.

 

The plot is one we are already familiar with, thanks to the film mentioned above. Thus, I sorta knew what to expect before I started watching it. But even so, I didn’t expect what I got. HILLSIDE CANNIBALS barely has a positive trait about it in any form or fashion.

 

The acting is horrible. The cast tries, but they all come across like Junior High secondaries, hoping the main stars break their legs prior to the curtain rising. The over-acting flows like the blood should have in this film.

 

This is not to mention the awful casting decisions. I mean, the cannibals looks like college students with dingy clothes. I seriously don’t think a guy with a frat-house hairdo should be playing an “inbred cannibal”...that just doesn’t work on any level. And the rest of the “cannibals” are all curvaceous females and buff, rock-star wannabes.

 

I wanted to sit the production team down and say “What the hell were you thinking? Were you drunk?” That’s how pissed off HILLSIDE CANNIBALS made me...I seriously thought about trying to look them up for an “interview”. How can you disgrace the good name of a Wes Craven film by associating it with something like this?

 

The ONLY saving grace for this film is that it is shot very well. The scenery is beautiful and the DoP does an amazing job of catching it in almost every scene...well, when we’re not forced into the “cave” with the “cannibals”, that is.

 

HILLSIDE CANNIBALS is a definite miss for me. I would give this one a pass. The bad casting and overacting are combined with a lack of decent gore and a so-so script...watching this one is a waste of time.

 

--MSB 

 

 

 

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

 

Check out contributing writer Scott Baker's new "Shattered Ravings" Facebook Page!!

  
As most regular readers of the 4H Blog know, I have a friend who is a contributing writer on this blog named Scott Baker.   When my blog took off and was growing strong, I was getting bombarded with tons of screeners to review  (of which I still have about half a ton I need to get through!) and I reached out to Scott for some help.  Being the great friend he is, he happily said yes to being a contributing writer on my blog!   I give him a hand full of screeners and send him on his way, and he gets back to me with some great reviews.    I think it is a great deal because you get a different writing style from him so you aren't always stuck with my boring reviews! Ha!  So you're welcome for that!   

Anyway, most of you probably know that Scott actually runs his own blog called SHATTERED RAVINGS.   But what you probably didn't know is that just recently he has made a Facebook Page for his blog!   Check out his blog and his blog's Facebook page asap!  In fact, "LIKE" the Shattered Ravings Facebook page and you will automatically be entered to win his latest giveaway!  CLICK HERE for info on his latest giveaway!


CLICK HERE to visit the Shattered Ravings Facebook page!!

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Here are the horror related DVD's coming out Tuesday, 12/5:
(Click a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  BODY PUZZLE
*  COWBOYS & ALIENS [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  DON'T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS
*  MURDER OBSESSION
*  THE MUTILATION MAN
*  POP PUNK ZOMBIES
*  PORKCHOP
*  REGENERATED MAN
*  SANTA CLAUS VS. THE ZOMBIES
*  ZOMBIE ALLEGIANCE
 

DVD Review: PSYCHO SLEEPOVER (2008)

  
PSYCHO SLEEPOVER
Directed by  Adam Deyoe & Eric Gosselin
Distributed by Troma Entertainment and CAV Distribution

  
Ahh...Troma Films, you gotta love 'em...right?  Ha!  Well, PSYCHO SLEEPOVER is not one I loved, although it's also not one I hated.  I find it hard to write reviews on films like this when I don't really have an opinion in either direction, good or bad, about the film.   It's almost like I don't have anything to say about it since I don't feel strongly about it either way.  But I will give it a shot.  Before I go on, here is the basic plot from the CAV website:

After accidentally murdering her boyfriend, Debbie Dicky moves to a new town and meets three girls who invite her to a sleepover. The very same night there is a` breakout at the local insane asylum where forty serial killers escape and head over to crash the party. However, the girls at the slumber party might not be as helpless as the killers think.
 
First off, I love the premise of this movie.  Let's face it, the escaped mentally ill serial killer coming to wreak havoc on a slumber party or babysitter or something of the sort has been done before.  Many times before.  But PSYCHO SLEEPOVER is not just about a mentally ill serial killer escaping the insane asylum, it is about 40 serial killers that escape!!  All on the same night, and they are all heading to the exact same house!  HA!  Brilliant!   All the serial killers all have their own unique quirks about them, from their weapons of choice to their "costumes".   The cover of the DVD cracks me up with all the weapons around the edge of the cover all coming toward the "helpless girls".   

Another good thing about this film is the gore.  There is a lot of blood in this film, which is always a plus.  There are a ton of good gore shots, and although most are pretty cheaply done, they are all pretty effective.

The downside to this movie is that although it started off strong with a very funny scene between a regular guy and his catholic goody-two-shoes girlfriend (he is tired of just Eskimo kissing and she isn't ready to go "all the way" to kissing using lips! ha),  and ending strong, the middle just seemed to drag on a bit.   The running time is listed at just 87 minutes but I would swear it was 187 minutes!!
If you can get through that and make it to the end, you are treated to a wild and crazy romp when the girls fight back against the crazy serial killers! 

Like I said before, this one is a toss up for me.   I'm glad I watched it, but I don't see watching this again in the near future.  I can see how this could be a lot of fun as a party movie, if you had a bunch of friends over and just needed some mindless fun, this would be a great film to choose.

The DVD is being released on December 13th  and will contain the following special features:

*  Behind the Scenes
*  Deleted Scenes
*  Outtakes
*  Trailer
*  Audio Commentary


CLICK HERE watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to buy the DVD

DVD Review: BENEATH THE FLESH (2009)

------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker------

BENEATH THE FLESH

Written & Directed by Randall Kaplan

Distributed by Pathfinder Pictures

 

I have always prided myself on my ability to interpret symbolism. Whether it be in a book or a movie, I can usually pick up the deeper meanings that are implied within certain things. But with that being said, I am completely lost as to what was going on in BENEATH THE FLESH.
If you're not familiar with this collection of short films, then you're not alone...I watched them, but am still clueless as to what I saw. Here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the DVD cover:

BENEATH THE FLESH is a collection of nightmares that will crawl under your skin and burrow its way into your mind. In 'Id', a man is tormented by a twisted creature in his apartment. In 'The Basement', two men confront each other in a damp, filthy basement. In 'The Child', a withered man nurtures a strange entity. In 'The Insides', a man believes something is growing inside of him. Finally, in 'Boxhead', an old man is visited by a childhood friend that could be his darkest nightmare. The victim in each story is forced to confront a fear that is eating them from the inside out. They will deal with this fear or die with it.

When I say I don't know whats going on in these films, I am not kidding. Each film is a head-trip that squeezes your brain as it tries to make sense of what it is seeing. 'Surreal' is about the closest word I can use to describe the feeling, although 'annoying' has to be close as well. I don't like it when I don't know what's going on, especially in a film.

Take, for example, the first film, 'Boxhead'. In this film, a wisp of a man is bullied and belittled by the people around him...as he talks to a weird paper-mâché looking creature in his apartment. Every now and then, the scene shifts to a young boy that crawls in and out of a box. That's it. No explanation or even real plot that I can find. I suppose the implication is that the little boy is the man as a child...but we never get any indication of that.

All of the films in this set are like that. And, all the films are directed by the same guy, director Randall Kaplan...which might explain the vagueness. I'm not saying he does not have talent. They are all shot well and have some excellent uses of lighting...but those are the only two positives I can list. Some might call these films experimental and some might label them as controversial. Me, I'm going to chalk them up to 'creative expression' and leave it at that.

I'm not recommending this collection, simply because none of the films entertained me. I was more annoyed than anything after I had watched them all, to be honest. I can certainly think of better ways to spend an hour of my life.

-MSB

 

 

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

 

Check out the awesome iPhone game, ARMY OF DARKNESS: DEFENSE

 I recently found this game on the iPhone app store based on the classic film, ARMY OF DARKNESS.   It is called ARMY OF DARKNESS:  DEFENSE and you play as Ash as you fight off an army of incoming deadites to protect the Necronomicon!  Game play is very simple and you earn money to buy upgrades including soldiers to help you fight (including the beloved Henry The Red!) and weapons including the iconic chainsaw!!   Check out this game if you are a fan of the EVIL DEAD films.   I thought it was kind boring at first, but the more I played it the more it really grew on me.  It is now my latest iPhone addiction!   Are any of the 4H readers playing this game already?  If so, leave a comment and let us know what you think of it!

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Here are the horror related DVD's coming out Tuesday, 11/29:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  CHILLERAMA  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  HORROR EXPRESS  [DVD/Blu-ray combo pack]
*  THE HOUSE OF SEVEN CORPSES
*  KIDNAPPED
*  NEEDLE
*  TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  VAMPIRES

Check out the awesome short film, DEUS IRAE

   
My buddy Caleb is always pointing out cool horror stuff he thinks I might like and my blog readers might like.  He has once again hit a home run with this one!    Caleb recently told me to go watch the short film, DEUS IRAE.  He didn't tell me anything about it, he just told me to go watch it and I am glad I listened to him.  This is an awesome short film that is being turned into a feature length film according to the film's official website. 
Here is the basic plot synopsis of the short film from the film's official website:

A fragile border separates our world from the realm of darkness, a limit where nightmarish creatures await in the shadows, looking for a way into our world: the tender souls of the weak and the innocent. Once possessed, people are used as portals to infect our reality.

Only one thing has been standing in their way: a secret order of priests, who devote their lives and souls to protect this border. Soldiers of a silent war, who hunt the monsters down to look them in the eye... and blow them away.

They are the 'Deus Irae'.

Check this one out for sure......this is an amazing short that keeps you wanting more!  I really hope this gets made into a full feature like the website says.  I want to see more from the 'Deus Irae'!!


CLICK HERE to watch the short film
CLICK HERE to visit the official website

DVD Review: GINGERDEAD MAN 3: SATURDAY NIGHT CLEAVER (2011)

  
GINGERDEAD MAN 3
Directed by: William Butler & Silvia St. Croix
Distributed by: Full Moon Direct
 
Let me start by saying that I have not seen any of the previous GINGERDEAD MAN films, so I wasn't sure if I would be totally lost when watching GM3, but rest assured it didn't matter. Sure, I might not know why this particular baked good is on a killing rampage, I missed his back story I'm sure,  but that really doesn't matter. All you need to know is that this is not your ordinary gingerbread man and he likes to kill people. There, that is all the back story you need, now you can sit back and enjoy GINGERDEAD MAN 3: SATURDAY NIGHT CLEAVER!
Here is the basic plot (from the back of the DVD cover):
 

After cleverly escaping the maximum security Research institute of Homicidal Baked Goods, the Gingerdead Man stumbles upon a time machine and finds himself
sent back in time as he slaughters the contestants of a 1970's Roller Boogie contest. The only hope for survival is when a young girl blessed with the gift of
telekinesis makes the scene.
  
First off, you have to know what you are getting into when you put in a film called GINGERDEAD MAN 3: SATURDAY NIGHT CLEAVER! HA! Don't expect the best horror movie you've ever seen and don't expect Mr. Gingerdead Man to be walking the carpet at next years Oscar awards. What you do get with this film, though, is a fun, entertaining, hour and however long this movie is...and that is what I expect when I put in a movie. GM3 did not disappoint in that aspect. This film is a lot of fun.
  
I knew I would like this movie from the very beginning. It starts off with a hilarious spoof of the film, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. In this film, FBI agent Clarice Darling goes to talk to the infamous Gingerdead Man, but first must walk the hallway with homicidal baked goods locked up on both sides, including a loaf of french bread and a nasty little cream puff that says something very rude to her (as much as I want to tell you what he says, I don't want to ruin the joke for you!!).

This was just one of the many movie parodies throughout this film, there is also a hilarious spoof on the PORKY'S bathroom scene and spoof on the Stephen King flick, CARRIE.
 
Aside from the comedic aspect of the film, there was plenty of horror as well, including a great scene where some roller girls are having a car wash outside the Roller Rink to raise money, and our friend the Gingerdead Man hooks the water hoses to vats of Sulfuric Acid...needless to say when the girls start wetting each other down, things turn from sexy to downright disgusting in a matter of seconds, as the girls flesh begins to be eaten off the bone!!
 
Overall, this is a winner for me when it comes to Full Moon movies......I enjoyed this one as much as I have enjoyed any of the other film Full Moon has released recently. I recommend you check this one out if you can just set aside some time for just a fun movie, you'll get a good laugh out of it at yeast, I mean least!! HA!!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Get ready for NFL BLITZ: ELITE LEAGUE!

  

Why am I posting about a video game?  And a football game for that matter?  Well, the upcoming NFL BLITZ:  ELITE LEAGUE is not your ordinary football game.  Unless that is, you are used to playing football against robots, Bigfoot, and....ZOMBIES!!!  

That's right!  What is better than a football game?  A football game with zombies!   The latest installment of the highly successful NFL BLITZ franchise is coming out in January 2012 and will feature all sorts of different opponents.  Check out the screenshot and then click to watch the trailer below!
 

  

CLICK HERE to watch a trailer for the game
CLICK HERE to visit the official website of NFL BLITZ:  ELITE LEAGUE