This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

Here are the Horror related DVD's coming out tomorrow, 3/1:
(Click a title to see the trailer for that film)

* ANNELIESE:  THE EXORCIST TAPES
* THE BLEEDING
* DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS  [Blu-ray]
* DR. BLACK AND MR. HYDE
* HALF MOON

BOOK REVIEW: ZOMBIES FOR ZOMBIES by David P. Murphy

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I just finished a hilarious new book by David P. Murphy called, ZOMBIES FOR ZOMBIES:  ADVICE AND ETIQUETTE FOR THE LIVING DEAD.   The book is published by Sourcebooks, Inc. I have to say I am a HUGE fan of zombie books.  I have read almost every zombie "survival guide" type of book out there so was happy to find this new twist on the zombie book craze.  Unlike it's subject matter, this book is fresh and new, breathing new life into a book genre that is really starting to get crowded.  

Unlike the typical survival guides which tell humans how to survive and defend themselves against zombies, this book was written specifically for the zombies...to help them deal with living as much as an ordinary life that is possible for a member of the living dead.

The book is laid out like one of those "for Dummies" books that us living humans read.  This is a basic guide for newly turned zombies to learn more about their condition and how to live with it from day to day.  Early in the book, you will find a transition timetable, telling you what to expect from the first few hours after being infected.  The author compares this transition to teens going through puberty, with all the changes going on in the body, but notes that in this transition, you are left with more to worry about than just acne!

After being infected, and after your transition to full zombie, the author lets you know about all the challenges you will face, and offers ways to deal with those challenges.  An obvious example is food.....you will not crave the normal food you did when you were a living human, you will now have a taste for a whole new line of food.  But don't worry, the author lets you know about the fine folks at Putrisystem who have a whole zombie meal plan lined out for you!  Also, the author lets you know about some foods that can be dangerous to a zombie.  Did you know that Creme soda can rupture your trachea?!!   The book also contains an entire section of delicious brain recipes for those do-it-your-selfers out there!

Other topics included in this book include exercise, sports and leisure activities, health care, grooming/fashion, and even tips for a healthy zombie sex life including a zombie kama sutra which includes some great positions for a satisfying living dead sex life.  You will definitely want to learn the "Reverse Sidesaddle Carnivorous Cowgirl Jamboree"!!  HA!

 This is one book a zombie can not live without.  Without this book, a zombie would be lost with day to day living as a member of the undead.  Zombies have a debt of gratitude to show Mr. Murphy for giving them such a detailed instruction guide on how to live their undead lives.

As a companion piece to ZOMBIE FOR ZOMBIES, author David P. Murphy has also written ZOMBIES FOR ZOMBIES:  THE PLAY & WERK BUK.  This is described as an "inactivity guide for the living dead".   Inside you will find all sorts of games and activities to keep your mind from rotting away.  Well ok, you're a zombie, so your mind will eventually rot away, but until then keep your brain active with these great activities including: word searches, stories, dot-to-dots, crosswords, mazes, and much more!!

CLICK HERE to purchase the books
CLICK HERE to visit the official Zombies for Zombies website
CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Sourcebooks, Inc.

DVD Review: DARK FOREST OF DEATH (2006)

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

DARK FOREST OF DEATH

Directed by:  Jeong-min Kim

Distributed by:  Pathfinder Pictures

The premise for DARK FOREST OF DEATH sounds about as basic as you can get nowadays for a horror film: a group of teens/20-somethings go into the woods, bad things happen, and some/most/all of them wind up getting killed. Using an existing premise is not necessarily a bad thing. There are many successful franchises out there that start with a basic, previously-seen-before concept but then add new life to it by bringing in fresh elements and ideas. These franchises are few and far between, sure, but they are successful for a reason: audiences like them.

Unfortunately, DARK FOREST OF DEATH brings nothing new to the table. Oh, it tries to…by throwing in a girl that has premonitions about the deaths going on around her. But the plot is too predictable and the characters too unbelievable for it to even matter.  If you’re not familiar with DARK FOREST OF DEATH, here’s the synopsis, courtesy of Pathfinder Pictures:

Four campers embark on a mountain climbing trip to a forbidden mountain where few people travel. There will be no cell phone reception, no police, just four people in this sinister forest. When one of the girls begins to have terrible visions, the other three claim she is just being paranoid... but soon, their car breaks down, some strange injuries occur, the night sets in and the group realizes these violent images may actually be real. This means, they’re in for a long night that may never end... except in death.

 While not the worst movie I’ve seen this year (that honor goes to BIKINI VAMPIRE BABES, which you can check out my review here), DARK FOREST OF DEATH is not one I will ever revisit again…even if I am utterly deprived of entertainment. The movie is filmed well and looks great visually, but that cannot save it.

Probably the biggest problem I have with this film is that the characters do some of the dumbest, most unbelievably asinine things when confronted with a ‘horrific’ situation. For example, when two of them end up missing after the girl has a premonition of them dying, the other three decide to look for them ‘for a little while’ and then go get help. Cut to the next scene, and these three are now traipsing around in the dark, wandering through deep woods as they call out for their friends.

I’m sorry, but ANYONE that has seen ANY horror movie in the past thirty years will tell you: DON’T WANDER AROUND IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT IF PEOPLE ARE MISSING…unless you have guns (note the plural) or supernatural combat powers. Good grief…do I really have to spell that out? I would think that cinema nowadays would help dictate the way people act in real life. It sure would for me.

Not to mention the fact that these people are in a forest that was ravaged by one of the worst forest-fires in history…but everything is tall, lush, and green. This doesn’t strike anyone as odd? Really? I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, but wow…even I would question this…multiple times.

The other aspect about DARK FOREST OF DEATH that annoys me is that nothing is ever really explained. We have people that bleed in the forest becoming possessed by some forest-spirits or something and then trying to kill everyone else. Ok…fine…now what? The characters toss out a few possible scenarios and one guy even mentions ‘the forest lost its soul after the fire’…but nothing is ever solidified. That normally isn’t a problem for me, but when the plot is a jumbled mess to begin with, it sure doesn’t help me enjoy myself.

The ONLY positive about this film is that has some decent gore. Lots of bloodshed towards the end, including one guy that gets the top of his head sliced in half with a shovel. Very nice. But, as mentioned above, this just isn’t enough to save a sinking ship.

Overall, I found DARK FOREST OF DEATH to be bland and boring, a film that will not be joining my DVD collection for sure. It’s a solid attempt at remaking and even adding to something familiar, but it never really gets off the ground. You might check it out for the gore, but be prepared to be annoyed for the first hour or so if you do. Otherwise, don’t waste your time.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Pathfinder Pictures

Book Review: DROWNED SORROW by Vanessa Morgan

"Something terrible is happening in Moonlight Creek"

I recently had the pleasure of reading the book DROWNED SORROW by Vanessa Morgan.  I am not a huge reader, but will start a book from time to time, and usually it takes me a long time to finish.  That was not the case with DROWNED SORROW.  This book is an easy read and was one I found very hard to put down.  When I did put it down, I couldn't wait until I had time to pick it up again and continue the read.  This is also a book that the phrase "Don't judge a book by it's cover" was made for.  When I first saw it, I immediately thought it was going to be a book about aliens or something of the sort.  The person/creature on the front has an alien vibe to it, and the shiny luminaries in the background looked celestial to me.  Upon further review I can tell that is sparkles off the water, but just at first glance you might pass this book up thinking it was something it wasn't.  Good thing I didn't do that, as I would have missed out on what is one hell of a good Horror novel  (that has nothing to do with aliens, of course).  Before I go any further, here is the basic synopsis from the book's official website:

Megan Blackwood has just lost her only son in a terrible accident. Now she has come to Moonlight Creek with her teenage daughter Jenna, hoping a change of scenery might help to put her life and that of her daughter back together.

But something odd is going on in Moonlight Creek.
When rain falls over the village, its inhabitants commit grisly murders, leaving the place deserted with the first rays of sunshine.
Beneath the lake’s surface, an eerie presence watches … and waits …. Waits to reveal a tragic past drowned in mystery and fear. One that doesn’t bode well for visitors.
By the time Megan realizes that her life, as well as that of her daughter, is in danger, it may be too late to escape.

This is definitely one of the better Horror novels I have read in quite some time.  I know it sounds cliche to compare Horror authors to Stephen King, but I saw a reviewer call Mrs. Morgan the "female Stephen King" and I can't argue with that.  DROWNED SORROW reminded me of and old school Stephen King story.  The story telling is simple enough, yet very descriptive.  With every scene I read, I was able to picture it in my mind, just like I was watching a movie (speaking of that, someone needs to make a movie of this book asap). 
There are some really creepy aspects in this story. As you might can tell from the plot synopsis above, the story involves the creepy town of Moonlight Creek, and also the water....the rain, and the lake.  Water actually becomes a character in itself, in many different fashions and forms.  I knew this was going to be an interesting story when Megan and her daughter Jenna first arrived in Moonlight Creek, and went to the small general store to buy some things.  Inside were shelves and shelves of nothing but bottled water.  It seems these residents don't need to much of anything except water.   The book is full of creepy scenes and situations, all somehow centered around the water.  Another thing I found very creepy about the residents of Moonlight Creek is that when it is bright and sunny outside, the small village is like a ghost town.  When it is cloudy and rainy, though, you will find the town alive and in full swing, with people going about their lives and filling the streets. 
I wont say much more about this book, as I don't want to spoil it for you, but take my word and pick up a copy of this book if you are a fan of Horror fiction!  You will not be disappointed!


CLICK HERE to purchase the book from Llumina Press
CLICK HERE to visit the book's official website
CLICK HERE to visit author Vanessa Morgan's Blog

Congratulations to the winner of the latest 4H giveaway!!

Congratulations to Shape999, the winner of the D4 Autographed DVD!!  Thanks to all that entered, and don't worry if you didn't win, you can still get your copy of D4 buy visiting the link below to purchase a copy.
Check back soon for our next giveaway!!







CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to view the D4 Facebook Page

Check out the info on director Kerry Beyer's newest feature film, CODE OF EVIL!!

Geektyrant.com has posted some great new info about director Kerry Beyer's latest film called, CODE OF EVIL.   Kerry Beyer is the mastermind behind the awesome horror film, SPIRIT CAMP, which I reviewed last year (click here to see that review).  I have been eagerly awaiting news on what Mr. Beyer's next film was going to be, and now we know!   CODE OF EVIL is described as follows, taken from the film's official website:

An intergalactic Sci-Fi/Horror adventure of epic proportions. Written and directed by award winning filmmaker Kerry Beyer (Spirit Camp), Code of Evil embodies a classic tale of good vs. evil as a band of misfits struggle to survive the terrors of a hostile alien world - while holding the fate of mankind in their hands.

Check out the teaser trailer by clicking the link below.  The film looks more Sci-fi than horror, so it will be cool to see what Beyer does with the Sci-fi genre, although I'm sure there will still be plenty of good stuff in it for us horror fans!  This film is in pre-production now, so the teaser trailer is a just a sample of what the final movie will actually look like. Keep an eye on the film's official website and Facebook pages for the latest news and info!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer!
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website
CLICK HERE to join the film's official Facebook page

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Here are the Horror related DVD's coming out tomorrow, Tuesday, 2/22:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

* BIRDEMIC: SHOCK AND TERROR [DVD & Blu-ray]
* THE GOATHERD
* PSYCH 9 [DVD & Blu-ray]


Not much coming out this week....check out that trailer for BIRDEMIC....im not sure what to think about it! HA!

DVD Review: SPLATTERFEST SHORTS VOLUME 1 (2010)

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I recently got the chance to check out the DVD of SPLATTERFEST SHORTS VOL. 1. For those unaware of SPLATTERFEST, here is a brief description of the film fest from it's official website:

SplatterFest is dedicated to inspiring creativity in the horror genre! It is our desire to provide an exciting and rewarding competition for filmmakers, providing an opportunity for exposure and creative growth. Filmmakers will gain exposure on the big screen, and SplatterFest is committed to getting as much press and industry attention as possible to the event and filmmakers.

The past event hosted over a dozen filmmakers, who all had one weekend to write, shoot, and edit a short Horror film. Each filmmaker was given a certain murder weapon and character that they had to incorporate into their film. They were also given this one line of dialog that they had to fit into their movie any way they saw fit: "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship". It was very interesting to see how different minds used this same line of dialog in such different ways.

The DVD features 17 short films, ranging in all sorts of styles...including haunting tales, splatter films, and even horror/comedy films. As with most all film compliation DVD's there are a mixture of the good and bad, but fortunately, there are definately more good films than bad here, with only one short that I would really describe as a 'stinker'. One of my favorites of the bunch was DON'T LOOK IN THE ATTIC, a tale of a being that lives in the attic of a nice couple who use the being to get rid of those that have done them wrong. Also, IT'S NOT YOUR GRANDMA is a great film full of lots of gore, including a scene of a person's skull and spine being ripped from their body. As for my #1 favorite film, that would probably go to the fillm called, AWARD WINNING MASTERPIECE: THE MOVIE. Now don't get me wrong, this film was pretty silly, but it was supposed to be that way and all the goofieness was intentional. The film is as much comedy as it is Horror, and unlike a lot of Horror/Comdies, it is actually very funny. The opening scene is an EXORCIST spoof and is hilarious. Later in the film we learn that there is a killer on the loose, and that killer is........plastic wrap! HA! It is as silly as it sounds and is a fun watch for sure.

All the films are ultra low budget and it shows, but it is cool to see what talented filmmakers can do with little or no budget. I can see a lot of potential in most all these filmmakers. Get yourself a copy of the DVD, and you might have a copy of the short films of some filmmakers that go on to much bigger and sucessful projects! There is a limited amount of these DVD's left, so be sure to order yours today!!


CLICK HERE to visit the official Splatterfest website, watch the trailer, and purchas a copy of the DVD!

Don't forget to enter the latest 4H blog Giveaway!!!

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The latest 4H blog giveaway is going strong.....but not many people have entered!! Only 5 entries at the time of this post! Entering is super easy, and just involves leaving a comment on the original giveaway post! Up for grabs is an autographed DVD of the awesome indy flick, D4 (see review here), signed by director, Darrin Dickerson! You could win this awesome DVD for FREE!!! Enter today! Only if my giveaways are successful in terms of entrants, will companies continue to provide these great prizes for me to give my readers! So enter today and tell your friends. In fact, usually I only allow one entry (comment) per person, but if you share the giveaway post link on your Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, or any other social outlet, then you can leave one additional comment. Just put in the comment where you shared the link.

The contest is scheduled to end on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011. Comments must be left by NOON Central time on 2/23/11 in order to count towards the contest.



CLICK HERE to visit the original post and enter the giveaway today!!

Check out the trailer to the upcoming zombie video game, DEAD ISLAND!

I have been hearing a lot about this game lately, and finally decided to go take a look at it. While I am not a big gamer myself, this game trailer makes me want to start playing video games again! Here is the synopsis of the game from the film's official website:

The player is drawn into the world of Dead Island on the brink of a mysterious zombie epidemic, that suddenly and with no warning breaks out on the fictional island of Banoi. As a guest of the Royal Palms Resort, the player's stay was supposed to be a dream holiday, a get away from daily grind into the idyllic beaches of a tropical paradise. But suddenly and faced with unimaginable terror, there is only one thing left to do: survive. This is Dead Island...a paradise to die for!

The trailer is shot in reverse fashion and is from the looks of it the gore will be plentiful in this game! Check out the trailer and let me know what you think. I haven't found a release date yet, but the game should be released sometime this year on PS3 and Xbox 360.


CLICK HERE to watch the amazing trailer!

Movie review: SANCTUM 3D (2011)

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SANCTUM 3D
Directed by: Alister Grierson

I recently had the chance to experience Executive Producer James Cameron's film, SANCTUM, and the more time I have had to look back and think about it, the more I realize just how much I enjoyed this film. Before we go any further, here is the films synopsis from imdb.com:

The 3-D action-thriller SANCTUM follows a team of underwater cave divers on a treacherous expedition to the largest, most beautiful and least accessible cave system on Earth. When a tropical storm forces them deep into the caverns, they must fight raging water, deadly terrain and creeping panic as they search for an unknown escape route to the sea. Master diver Frank McGuire has explored the South Pacific's Esa-ala Caves for months. But when his exit is cut off in a flash flood, Frank's team-including 17-year-old son Josh and financier Carl Hurley are forced to radically alter plans. With dwindling supplies, the crew must navigate an underwater labyrinth to make it out. Soon, they are confronted with the unavoidable question: Can they survive, or will they be trapped forever?

I said that I had a chance to experience this film, instead of just watch it, because that is what you really do with this film. You don't just sit and watch like you do a comedy or even other action/adventure films. You are thrown into the depths of the caves on screen and you feel like you are there right along with the actors. You feel trapped when they do, and at some points, I actually felt the panic of being stuck in an underwater cave with a dwindling air supply and limited visibility. Again, you don't just watch this film, you experience it.

While not a true Horror film, I felt the film worthy of a mention on this blog because it is a scary film, just in a different way than most of us Horror fans are used to. This is a different kind of scary....a real kind that you know that can actually happen. Don't get me wrong, there are still some regular Horror elements scattered about....including dead bodies, and even a couple of small gore scenes. While not scary in terms of startles or jump scares, it is scary just in terms of feeling trapped and helpless, and realizing that there is no escape. It is a true feeling of hopelessness that extends from the screen to the seats. You experience the joys and pains of these characters and become deeply involved in them, even when you realize what their final outcome is going to be.

On a technical note, the film is brilliant in terms of cinematography. The beautiful exterior shots of the vast open jungle landscape above the cave system is a startling contrast to the small, confined spaces in the caves below. While the acting in the film is a mix, overall it is good and the one or two not so great performances does not take away from the complete experience of the film. I highly recommend this film and suggest you try to see it while still in the theater. The 3D aspect, while not necessary to enjoy the film, was a very cool enhancement to this movie and really opened up the caves and made you feel like you were in there with them. The huge underwater rooms that the divers come to look amazing in 3D. I am not sure how this will translate to the smaller screens once the film hits DVD, so try to see it in the theater if at all possible!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website

DVD Review: BIKINI VAMPIRE BABES (2010)

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

BIKINI VAMPIRE BABES

Directed by: Ted West and Margaret Root

I seriously wish it were legal to sue people and companies for wasted time.

If I could, I would have the production team behind Bikini Vampire Babes in court tomorrow. I want more than the last 90 minutes of my life back...I want compensation for mental pain and anguish as well. I don't know what the producers of this movie were thinking, but it sure wasn't about entertainment.

If you're not familiar with this film, here is the synopsis courtesy of imdb.com:

A story about Lizette, a web savvy vampire who makes her living participating in bikini contests, runs into trouble when her car breaks down on the way to the world bikini championship in Las Vegas. Just because we're undead doesn't mean we don't have to make a living!

This movie is the worst one I've seen in 2011 so far. It is meant to be a horror-comedy spoof but fails on every level imaginable. It has no humor, no thrills, no gore, no plot, and simply no substance...at all. In short - I can't believe someone actually funded this film.

I know I shouldn't have expected much going into this…I mean, the title alone suggests an apprehensive trek into unknown territory. But so much could have been done with this concept. It's a shame to see what turned out instead.

The camera-work is abysmal. When the camera is not focused on the bodies of the bikini-clad women (which is most of the time), it's wandering all over the screen in a spastic, almost seizure-like way. Don't get me wrong…I love scantily clad women just as much as the next guy. But I like it in context. If I'm watching a movie about vampires, then I want to see vampires. If I'm watching a comedy, then I want to laugh. If I'm watching a hybrid that combines the two—well, you get the picture.

The acting is beyond horrible, with the cast puking up their lines in a syllable-by-syllable method. And when they weren't plodding through the poorly written script, they were standing around doing…nothing. My wife's miniature poodle can act better than any of the cast members in this film.

The special effects are not even laughable…they are downright insulting. For example, very time we see a bat, you can blatantly see the fishing line it is hanging from. It is almost as if the production crew positioned the lighting just so on purpose, to make sure the fishing line stood out. This could have been overlookable for me, but by the time the bat came into play in the film, I was already pissed off enough that it just added fuel to the fire. And if it was done on purpose, then that pisses me off even more.

And the inconsistencies…wow. Did anyone on the production team watch this movie before they called it done? In one scene, a guy is riding a Harley. In the next, he's on a dirt-bike. Huh? Seriously? Just thinking about this is causing anger to build up inside of me again.

I think I've already exerted more energy than I wanted to on this film. The ONLY positive thing I can say about Bikini Vampire Babes is that it had a somewhat decent soundtrack…but it's nothing I would really want to hear again.

In short, don't make the mistake I did by watching this film. Instead, use 90 minutes of your time wisely. Go watch paint dry or watch dust-bunnies collect under your bed or something; you'll enjoy yourself a lot more if you do and be spending your time in a much better way.

-MSB

CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website and watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

DVD Review: I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (1978)

I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (1978)
Directed by: Meir Zarchi
Distributed by: Anchor Bay Entertainment

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a review of the remake of the 1978 film, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE. That review can be seen by clicking here. I was super excited about this remake, as the original film is one of my all time favorite Horror/exploitation films. The remake did not disappoint, and was a fun ride for sure. The Blu-ray and DVD was released by Anchor Bay on February 8th. Check it out if you have the chance. After seeing the remake, it got me wanting to see the original again as well. Along with the I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE remake, Anchor Bay also re-released the original 1978 version both to DVD and to Blu-ray (for the first time). The original film is the subject of tonight's review. I hadn't seen this film in a number of years, and I forgot just how good it actually was. For those of you that don't know the story, here is the basic plot from the Anchor Bay website:

Camille Keaton stars as Jennifer Hills, an attractive city woman who rents a backwoods cabin to begin writing her first novel. She is soon attacked by a group of local lowlifes – including one who is mentally disabled – and dragged screaming into a nightmare of rape, sodomy and violence. Left for dead, she devises a horrific plan for revenge. These men will be cut, chopped, broken and burned beyond recognition...but no jury in America would ever convict her. You may be shocked, outraged or even disgusted. Yet you will never forget the raw impact of the original I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE.

That last statement is very true. You will never forget the impact this film has on you. This film is unlike any film I have seen in it's raw brutality. The original LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT comes close and is similar in many aspects, although I think I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE is the superior of those films.

The acting in this film is wonderful, although the part of the mentally challenged character is a little overdone in my opinion, but overall it is very good. Camille Keaton does an excellent job as our main character, to the point where you wonder if, during the very hard to watch rape scenes, if she is really acting 100% of the time, or if some of the screams and cries of terror have some realism behind them. Either way, it makes for an extremely effective set up to what will become the best part of the film, which is when she gets revenge over her attackers.

The revenge scenes in this film are very brutal, but as the tag line states, no jury in America would ever convict her. For as much as she does to her attackers, what they did to her was an unthinkable crime that they could really never pay for enough. Jennifer does what she feels she needs to do, and the audience is behind her 100%! Her methods of revenge varies from the simple (hanging) to the extreme (bathtub scene). I won't say much about the bathtub scene as it is something you will just have to see to believe. What is interesting about the way she extracts her revenge on her attackers is that she uses her sexuality to attract the men and lure them into the vulnerable situations she needs in order to carry out her plans. These men just had their way with her, yet their greed and unhealthy desires for her lead them back into her path which results in their ultimate demise.

While both the original and remake of I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE are excellent films, I have to say that this original version is still my favorite, and holds a spot in my top 10 genre films of all time. This film is the perfect example of an exploitation film and is a true cult classic. The film just has a unique look and feel to it that sets it apart from other similar films that try to the match the impact of this film, but fail to do so. I highly recommend this film for all Horror/exploitation film fans!

If you have seen both the original and the remake, I highly encourage your thoughts and comments on which you thought was better and why!


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


CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Anchor Bay Entertainment

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Here are the Horror related DVD's coming out tomorrow, 2/15/11:
(click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

* THE LAST LOVECRAFT:  RELIC OF CTHULHU
*  LOVE AT FIRST KILL
*  RESPIRE
*  STAG NIGHT  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE TWILIGHT ZONE Season 3  (TV) [Blu-ray]

For only $25, you can become an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER on a Horror film!! Check it out.....

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A couple of months ago, I posted an article about a Kickstarter project for an independent Horror/comedy film called, THE PIMP AND THE DEAD. Well, the Kickstarter project did not get 100% funded, so filmmaker Dennis Smithers, Jr. has gone a different route. He has listed a few "Associate Producer" slots on Ebay, where for only $25, you can help fund this cool film and be listed as an Associate Producer in the credits! Pretty cool!! This just shows you how dedicated Dennis is to getting this film made! I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the finished project! Help make this film happen by becoming an Associate Producer today!


CLICK HERE to visit the Ebay page for THE PIMP AND THE DEAD

CLICK HERE to visit the official Facebook Page of the film
CLICK HERE to visit the official website of filmmaker Dennis Smithers, Jr.

FULL MOON DIRECT Valentines Day Super Sale now until Feb. 15th!!!

I just got a message from the great folks at Full Moon Direct letting me know about an AMAZING sale they have going on right now. The sale includes TONS of items at 50% off plus FREE SHIPPING!! Now is a great time to get some great stuff from the Full Moon Direct website! Here are some of the highlights of the sale:

*Puppet Master 8-Disc Box Set on sale for only $50
*Subspecies and Trancers Box Sets both for $30
*Puppet Master 1 Re-Mastered Blu-Ray for $14.97
*Puppet Master 1 Re-Mastered DVD for $9.97
*$100 Gift Card for only $50!
*$50 Gift Card for $25 and $25 Gift Card for $12.50
*Limited Edition Blu-Ray Andre Toulon Collector's Trunk for $34.98 and DVD version for $24.98
*Includes original Puppet Master and Axis of Evil movie, mini poster, collector cards and character stickers in a crafted Andre Toulon Puppet Master case
*$10 Full Moon T-shirts
*Puppet Master, Blade, Full Moon Logo, Demonic Toys, Subspecies, Evil Bong, Doll Graveyard, etc.

*Red Blade Replica for only $100, including free DVD
*Killjoy 3 Disc Box Set - $14.98
*Full Moon Classics Set - $30
*New William Shatner’s Fright Night 3 Disc Box set $20!
*Evil Bong with Tommy Chong DVD for $7.50
*Oblivion for $7.98
*Shrunken Heads & more for only $4.99!
*18-Disc Archive Box Set for only $60!
*8Surrender Cinema 12-Disc Box Set for $45
*Battle Damaged Tunneler and Jester Replicas for only $100
*Bronze Blade Statue for $12.50
*Evil Bong Replica for $15
*$10 Signature Vintage Posters
Including Dr. Mordrid, Subspecies, Trancers, Puppet Master and Pit and the Pendulum
*Meridian and Dollman Posters for only $5
*Limited Edition Blade and Tunneler Resin Statues for $14.98

Get all these great deals at www.fullmoondirect.com! Hurry, sale ends Feb. 15th!!

(Regular prices might be displayed, but you will see the Valentine's Day sale discount at the checkout screen)

DVD Review: ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES! EVERYWHERE! and THE GREEN MONSTER

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


ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES! EVERYWHERE!
THE GREEN MONSTER
Production Company: Untold Horror

I decided to review these two films together since they are both shorties. ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES! EVERYWHERE! clocks in at 15 minutes, while The Green Monster runs a little over an hour long.

First, let's start with ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES! EVERYWHERE! This film is very well done and is very entertaining to watch. It chronicles Dan "The Man" Spencer, a self-proclaimed zombie exterminator on a night mission to clear out a zombie nest. With him is an amateur film director who does his best to keep up and not get eaten. But what Dan doesn't know is that he has found The Hive, the origin point for all zombies. What ensues is a gore party and Dan "The Man" is the guest of honor.

ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES! EVERYWHERE! makes very good use of a low budget. The special effects are excellent and the gore flows freely (which is as it should be for a zombie flick!). And the use of the white snow to contrast against the red gore splatters only enhances the visuals even more.

Furthermore, Dan "The Man" is a great character, full of wit and trailer-park wisdom. What he lacks in brains, he makes up for in balls. I would honestly love to see a feature-length film with him as the lead…but only if actor Edward X. Young were allowed to play the part once again. I don't believe anyone else could do it justice.

All in all, ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES! EVERYWHERE! earns an 'A' for being entertaining on many levels and downright fun to watch.

THE GREEN MONSTER is a slightly different story however. If you're not familiar with this one, here is the plot courtesy of the writer, Trevor Wright:

What would you do to stay beautiful forever? What would you give to have a loved one back for good? Welcome to Gerald's Hungry Shack! Your one stop shop for all your material needs. Where your wish is their command. Buyer beware - you pay with your blood - and if the customers don't eat you, THE GREEN MONSTER will!

I wasn't too terribly fond of this one, mainly because the plot has many holes and I don't feel like it is written as well as Zombies! Zombies! Everywhere. THE GREEN MONSTER is an attempt at non-comical horror, but it comes off instead as confusing and (in a couple of instances) ridiculous.

For example, maniacal Gerald tempts a patron with a hamburger that will supposedly grant wishes. There's no way in hell that I would eat what he put in front of that patron, even if the promise of wishes coming true were an option. And as crazy as it sounds, the guy's wish does come true.

Why is this ridiculous? Because the plot up to this point is a type of murder-mystery combined with a psychological thriller…it then shifts to a 'Monkey's Paw' type of scenario (Google it if you need to) and completely slips out of gear. Add to that the ending, which comes across as humorless comedy instead of seriousness.

This is not to mention the fact that nothing is ever mentioned about 'staying beautiful forever', as referred to in the description above. Not sure what that is about, but it sounds like the production team tried to do too much in a single movie.

I wanted to like THE GREEN MONSTER but its flaws are too distracting. Still, I see a lot of talent in directors Nolan Ball and Bryan Roberts and look forward to seeing future works. As for these two films, check out ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES! EVERYWHERE! but give THE GREEN MONSTER a polite pass.


CLICK HERE to visit the Untold Horror website and check out trailers for all their films

Check out the HORROR ILLUSTRATED Blog!!

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Periodically, I like to point my readers to other cool Horror related sites on the net.  I have recently come across a great new site called the HORROR ILLUSTRATED blog!  Blog administrator Frank Forte has done a remarkable job putting together a great site dedicated to the art of Horror drawings, paintings, comic art, etc.  His site has tons of great pics, with lots of awesome pics of old Horror comic covers.  Mr. Forte has put in a remarkable amount of work getting all these great cover scans and comic page scans posted to his blog site.  Along with all the great pics, you will also find info and bios on lots of great Horror artists, both old and new.  If you are a fan of Horror art, esp that of the comic book form, you will definitely want to check out his site at:   http://horrorillustrated.blogspot.com/

Check out the trailer for the WWII zombie film, WAR OF THE DEAD!!

Check out the cool  trailer for the World War II zombie film, WAR OF THE DEAD!   This film was previously known as STONE'S WAR and it looks like an awesome mixture of zombie film and war film!
Here is the basic synopsis:

Captain Martin Stone is leading a finely-trained, elite platoon of American and Finnish soldiers as they attack an enemy bunker. Underestimating their enemy’s strength, they are quickly beaten back into the forest. As they try to regroup, they are suddenly attacked by the same soldiers they had just killed a few minutes earlier. Forced to flee deeper into Russian territory, they discover one of war’s most terrifying secrets and realize they have woken up a far more deadly enemy.



CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

Here are the Horror related DVD's coming out tomorrow, 2/8:

(click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

* HIGH LANE

* I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (1978 original) [DVD & Blu-ray]

* I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (2010 remake) [DVD & Blu-ray]

* LATE FEE

* MY SOUL TO TAKE [DVD & Blu-ray]

* OMINOUS

* PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2 [DVD & Blu-ray]

Looks like a great week for Horror releases!! The highlight this week in my opinion is

the release of the I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE remake, as well as a re-issue DVD and first

time Blu-ray of the original 1978 film!!

GIVEAWAY TIME!! Enter to win an autographed copy of Darrin Dickerson's D4!!

A while back I did a review of the great indie action/horror/sci-fi film, D4, which was written and directed by Darrin Dickerson. (Click here to see the review). Well, I am very excited to let you know that Mr. Dickerson has provided me with a copy of his film on DVD to give away to one lucky reader of this blog! Not only that, but the DVD is autographed on the front by Mr. Dickerson himself!! What an awesome prize!!! Read the rules below to learn how to enter for your chance to win!!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to view the D4 Facebook Page
CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Ghostwater Films

TO ENTER THE CONTEST, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE STEPS:


1. If you are not already, become a FOLLOWER of this blog! (Click the FOLLOW button under the "Followers" section of the blog on the right hand side).

2. Leave a comment on this post with your NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS so I can contact you for your shipping info if you are the winner (if valid email address is not given, I will post the winners name on the site and winner will have one week to contact me with their shipping info. If prize is not claimed within one week, prize will be forfeited).

3. Only one comment per person. Multiple comments will result in removal of all your comments therefore removing your chances of winning!

4. Contest is scheduled to end on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011. Comments must be left by NOON Central time on 2/23/11 in order to count towards the contest.

5. Contest winner will be chosen by random.org and must agree to let me post their name in a separate post stating who won the prize.

6. Due to shipping costs, contest is open to U.S. Residents only. Thank you for your understanding.

GOOD LUCK!!

DVD Review: BLOOD FOREST (2009)

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

BLOOD FOREST
Directed by Bill Barton
Distributed by Midnight Releasing

BLOOD FOREST is a low budget film set in Jasper, AR, a town located about 85 miles away from where I live. Although I’ve never visited Jasper, I would swear that the film was actually shot there; the town in the movie looks exactly like one you would find in this area. Unfortunately, a good filming location does not make up for a bad film.

If you’ve never heard of BLOOD FOREST, here’s the synopsis courtesy of director Bill Barton (via imdb.com):

Virgil Williams, an alcoholic down and out tabloid reporter from the UK is sent to Arkansas to investigate a Big Foot sighting and is caught between the town Sheriff and the last remaining brave from Arkansas's "Cave Tribe" and Vietnam vet, James Levi Wiley.

Here’s my biggest problem with BLOOD FOREST: even though it tries really hard to be a good film (and it ALMOST makes it there), its problems greatly outweigh its positives. As I have mentioned before, I find it difficult to butcher an indy filmmaker’s work. Most of them put their hearts and souls into their films. But although I am sympathetic, I feel it is my duty to be honest in my reviews and tell horror fans my candid, unfiltered opinions about what I watch.

As much as I want to like it, BLOOD FOREST fails on many levels. First and foremost is the acting. Again, I understand that low budget films have to make do with the best they can get. It’s just a shame that every person in this film lacks any sort of acting talent. When the extras aren’t flubbing their lines or rambling off-track, the main cast is trying to regurgitate their lines while showing some semblance of emotion. The acting is so bad that it makes some high school productions look like Oscar material.

The story, although semi-interesting in premise, is dull and lifeless. A British journalist is sent to little ol’ Jasper Arkansas to report on Bigfoot sightings. Really? Um…no. There is no way in hell that a company in the U.S. would send someone to Arkansas to follow up on Sasquatch, let alone a company from ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. Maybe a ‘creature of unknown origin’, sure…but not Bigfoot. No way.

And the whole thing about the last remaining brave from Arkansas’s Cave Tribe? I still have no clue what that is all about. It’s hinted around several times in the film and, from what I can tell, it’s supposed to be an integral part of the plot. But it’s never explained, never fleshed out, and just downright confusing.

The special effects are weak, with no gore gracing the screen and only a few traces of crimson here and there to indicate blood. A good horror film doesn’t have to have gore, but it sure would help in a case like this. It would at least have been something entertaining to watch.

Instead, all we have is a slow-paced, no-intensity movie that I can’t even label a thriller. There are no thrills, no suspense, and certainly no terror anywhere in it. When I say lifeless, I mean this film is about as animated as Pauly Shore’s career. In short, it’s dead and rotting.

And when the end comes, there’s no resolution either. Instead of at least seeing the terrifying creature that’s been killing people…we get a fade-to-black shot and a narrator saying something about how we have to draw our own conclusions and blah-blah-blah. I can certainly understand budgetary constraints that might prohibit the construction of a legitimate Bigfoot costume…but c’mon…I’d rather see a guy in a monkey suit than have to watch a cop-out ending like this.

The only positive comment I can make for BLOOD FOREST is that it truly highlights the beauty of Arkansas, with many of its scenes taking place in the woods. The scenery alone cannot save the film, though. BLOOD FOREST would better be served as a promotional reel to encourage tourism here in the Natural State.

-MSB

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


CLICK HERE to visit the official website
of Midnight Releasing

Check out the great giveaway contest going on over at the awesome Horror blog, DOLLAR BIN HORROR!!

For those Horror fans out there that aren't familiar with the DOLLAR BIN HORROR BLOG, do yourself a favor and check it out! It is one of my favorite sites on the net. Blog administrator, Rhonny Reaper, does an awesome job with bringing your Horror related news and reviews on a daily basis. Just like we do here at the 4H blog, Rhonny is constantly having contests and giveaways where she brings a great variety of cool prizes for her readers! Here latest giveaway is a for a copy of the Zombie novel called, ZOMBIE, OHIO by Scott Kenemore. Actually...she has 5 copies to giveaway..and they are signed by the author!!

Here is the plot synopsis of the book:

When rural Ohio college professor Peter Mellor dies in an automobile accident during a zombie outbreak, he is reborn as a highly intelligent (yet somewhat amnesiac) member of the living dead. With society decomposing before his eyes and violence escalating into his daily life, Peter quickly learns that being a zombie isn't all fun and brains. Humans - generally unsympathetic to his new proclivities - try to kill him at nearly every opportunity. His old friends are loath to associate with him. And he finds himself inconveniently addicted to the gooey stuff inside of people's heads.


Wow! What an awesome prize! Thanks Rhonny, keep those cool contests coming!

CLICK HERE to go to the contest and read how to enter

Also..stay tuned to this blog, as in the next few days we will be starting up our new giveaway as well! It is a great one you will not want to miss!!

DVD Review: I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (2010)

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I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE
2010 Remake
Directed by: Steven R. Monroe
Distributed by: Anchor Bay Films


I hope all you horror fans that read the 4H blog have seen Meir Zarchi's 1978 original, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE, also known as DAY OF THE WOMAN. If you have not seen this, do yourself a favor and watch this film as soon as you can. I am a huge fan of the original film, so I was super excited when I heard they were remaking the film. I guess I am one of the few Horror fanatics that actually likes remakes....they don't take anything away from the original, as the original is still here and not changed in anyway. All the remake does is show a different adventure of the characters we like and know and brings a new audience to the story that might not have ever taken the time or effort to seek out the original. But, enough of that. That is a topic I could go on with forever. Anyway, I was really excited about this remake and was not able to catch it on it's limited theatrical run, so I am super excited that the DVD is finally here. Here is the description of the film from the Anchor Bay website:

UNFORGIVING. UNCOMPROMISING. UNMERCIFUL. UNRATED. The original version was reviled, condemned, and banned around the world for its on-screen depictions of depravity and violence. Now experience the acclaimed remake that dares to go even further: Jennifer Hills (a fearless performance by Sarah Butler) is a big-city novelist who rents an isolated country cabin to write her new book. But when she is brutally raped by a group of sadistic rednecks, Jennifer has plans for more than mere revenge. One-by-one she will find them. She will inflict horrific acts of agonizing torment upon them. And no jury in America would ever convict her. Jeff Branson (“ALL MY CHILDREN”), Daniel Franzese (BULLY), Rodney Eastman (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3 & 4), Chad Lindberg (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS) and Tracey Walter (THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS) co-star in this graphic, shocking and undeniably disturbing new take on one of the most controversial films of all time.

Again, I am a huge fan of Meir Zarchi's original film, so I was super excited when I started up the DVD and saw that Meir Zarchi is one of the Executive Producers of this new remake! That could only be a good thing, as Mr. Zarchi would make sure that everything was done right and in the spirit of his original film.

I will tell you that overall I really liked this film. It is hard to watch at times, as the rape scene is very graphic and disturbing. Not just that, but it seems to go on and on....it is very hard to watch, but important to the film as it sets up the reason why our heroine will turn the tables and inflict her revenge on her intruders. You really feel for the character of Jennifer Hills and become a witness of her innocence being stripped away from her. The things this group of guys does to her are humiliating and they leave her on the brink of death. You can't help but smile when you see Jennifer come back stronger than ever to get her revenge on these guys!

The acting in this movie is superb. In fact, at times it actually seemed real, which is hard for a movie to pull off. Sarah Butler does a tremendous job as the character of Jennifer Hills and is very believable as both a victim and as the one dealing out the punishment. Speaking of that, the things she does to these guys is absurdly violent. The gore effects in this film were amazing, including the eyelid scene which you will just have to see for yourself.

The only negative I had with this film was the ending, which just sort of ended rather abruptly. I was really caught off guard when the screen went black and the credits started to roll. That is a very minor and picky issue, though, so don't let that turn you off from the film. Overall, this film was very good, very well made, and should be a must see for Horror fans, especially those of us who know and love the original film. While I still prefer the original overall, I am quite pleased with how they handled this remake and it will be a welcome addition to my DVD collection.

I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE will be released to DVD and Blu-ray next Tuesday, February 8th.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to pre-order the DVD or Blu-ray
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website

Congratulations to the winner of the latest 4H giveaway!!

Announcing the winner of the Bombshell Pinups 2011 Zombie Pinup Planner giveaway! Thanks to BombshellPinups.net for supplying this awesome prize. We had some great entries and after a close decision, Keya Millionie from the great state of Oregon has been declared our winner! Keya sent a great pic that was photo-hopped into a zombie as well as a very cool original zombie pic. Congratulations Keya!!

Don't worry if you didn't win, you can go purchase your own planner by CLICKING HERE!

Thanks again to the great folks over at BombshellPinups.net for supplying this awesome giveaway prize!!

Check back often, as a new giveaway will start up again in just a few days......