Check out the fun zombie game, INFECTONATOR!

 Check out this fun little zombie game I ran across called, INFECTONATOR.  It's a very simple game where you take over the world by infecting everyone with a zombie virus.   Your only goal is to create the Zompocalypse!   The graphics are very basic  (think somewhere between an Atari 2600 and an original NES System), but the game is surprisingly addictive!  Check it out!

CLICK HERE to play the game!

DVD Review: DEATH PENALTY.COM (2011)

DEATH PENALTY.COM
Directed by Ryota Sakamaki
Distributed by Danger After Dark/TLA Releasing

  As some of you know, I am a huge fan of foreign horror films, especially Japanese horror films.  The Japanese make some crazy demented movies, and I love 'em!   DEATH PENALTY.COM isn't too "out there" like some of the Japanese films I've seen lately.  This is more traditional horror, but it still has it's J-horror quirkiness.  I was intrigued with this film from the very beginning after reading the plot synopsis.  Here is the synopsis from the TLA website:

Angry at your boss or has your best friend betrayed you? No worries. Welcome to DeathPenalty.com where you can find a mysteriously masked ally to solve your problem. But there is a catch. For every murder requested, you must commit one and if you don t follow the plan, you are next!!

  Pretty creepy concept...makes you wonder if things like this could actually exist! Let's hope not...but on to the review.   I thought DEATH PENALTY.COM was a very good movie and was very entertaining.  The acting is good from everyone involved.  The death scenes are very well done, some being very brutal.   The movie is neat in that most of the time is spent showing you the computer screen and all the different people logged on to commit the murders. Everyone on the site wears a mask or disguise of some sort, for obvious reasons.  This makes for a very weird forum of characters, all with disguised voices.  One person wears a gas mask, one a crazy clown face, and one even wears a horse head!  Crazy stuff! 

This new DVD from the Danger After Dark series of films is actually a double feature.  Along with DEATH PENALTY.COM, you will also get the sequel, DEATH PENALTY.COM:  A NEW BEGINNING!   Two movies for the price of one!  I haven't checked out the sequel yet, but I plan to soon.  Click on the link below to purchase the DVD!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer and/or purchase the DVD

George W. Bush warned America about the threat of zombies!!

Wow, George W. Bush might have been smarter than I gave him credit for.  Ok, probably not, but he did apparently warn America about the threat of zombies!  I guess we should have taken him more seriously!  Check out this hilarious video I found on YouTube called..BUSH VS. ZOMBIES.

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 3/26:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)
*  6 DEAD SOULS
*  ANIMUS
*  BAD MEAT
*  THE COLLECTION  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  DARKEST CORNER OF PARADISE
*  DEAD SUSHI  [Blu-ray]
*  DEADLY KARMA
*  THE DEATH WHEELERS
*  DISCIPLINE
*  THE FRANKENSTEIN THEORY
*  FROM BEYOND  [Collector's Edition Blu-ray/DVD combo]
*  KILL THE UGLY TV
*  TO LIVE AND DIE IN HOLLYWOOD
*  MAD COWGIRL 3D
*  PHANTASM II  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  POSSESSION IN JAPAN
*  IMMORTALITY  [Blu-ray]
*  SEXSQUATCH:  THE LEGEND OF BLOOD STOOL CREEK
*  STAG NIGHT OF THE DEAD
*  ZOMBIE GENOCIDE:  LEGION OF THE DAMNED

Tonight while watching THE WALKING DEAD, I will be enjoying a nice cup of coffee from the actual Woodbury Coffee House!!

 How cool is this!   The city of Woodbury, featured in THE WALKING DEAD, is an actual town in Georgia, not a set.  Woodbury is not the real name, though.  The actual name of the town is Senoia, GA.  But, when TWD is filming, Senoia turns into Woodbury, and even when they are not filming, signs of Woodbury (literally) are still all around! 
 Well, my wife was recently in Georgia on a business trip, and decided one day to take a side trip to some of TWD filming locations!!   One of these locations was Senoia, GA, so she got to walk the actual streets of Woodbury!!  Very Cool. She visited the "Woodbury Coffee House" (actually the Senoia Coffee & Cafe) and bought me my own bag of THE WALKING DEAD Coffee!  So, during tonight's episode, I will be enjoying a hot cup of their famous "Zombie Dark" blend!

Keep an eye on this blog, because coming soon will be a guest blog post by my wife, detailing her on-location travels and sharing some very cool pics with you all! 

DVD Review: BAD MEAT (2011)

BAD MEAT
Directed by Lulu Jarmen
Distributed by MVD Entertainment

I knew nothing about this movie before its arrival in my mailbox for review.  I find this kind of surprising, as this is a really good horror flick that I am surprised is not getting more attention.  Maybe it is, and I just haven't seen it, but I had never even heard of BAD MEAT.  I had no clue what to expect, but what I got was a suspenseful, gross-out horror film that was a lot of fun!   Here is the basic plot from the MVD website:

Ordered to a delinquent camp by their exasperated parents, a group of wayward teens fall foul of a deadly virus that infects the guards and turns them into flesh-eating monsters! Gristle and gore are on the menu-as are the kids in this Brat Camp slaughterhouse massacre.

This movie is really well done, with good acting by most all involved. It is a good story with lots of great gross-out scenes courtesy of the bad meat that the cook at this camp serves the staff.  It seems as though a disgruntled employee decides to get back at his boss and co-workers by serving them this bad meat.  The meat is apparently tainted with some weird virus that turns the staff deathly sick.  If you you can't handle vomit, this movie is not for you!  The sickness makes the staff deathly sick to the point of vomiting until they can not vomit anymore.  They are week and look like they are dieing, but then the virus turns and gives them almost super like powers and energy.  Along with this, is the desire to eat human flesh!  So not really a zombie movie by any means, but very similar.

This movie has some great gore and as mentioned before, some very gross scenes.  The only special features is a trailer, which is a shame, as I would have loved to see how they did some of the gore effects in this film. Oh well.  All in all this was a good horror flick worthy of a view.  Check it out and let me know what you think!

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

DVD Review: SEXSQUATCH: THE LEGEND OF BLOOD STOOL CREEK (2012)

SEXSQUATCH:  THE LEGEND OF BLOOD STOOL CREEK
Directed by  Chris Seaver
Distributed by SRS Cinema / MVD Entertainment

Yes, you read that correctly.  I am actually reviewing a movie called SEXSQUATCH: THE LEGEND OF BLOOD STOOL CREEK.  I had a feeling from the title that this was going to be an awful movie, and while I really wanted to dislike this film, I have to admit....I kinda liked it!
Here is the basic plot of the film from the MVD website:

Joey Jeremiah's friends have gathered near Blood Stool Creek for a party weekend to throw their ambitious friend a "get laid" party. Teens... woods... beer... sex... what could possibly go wrong? Well the wooded area that plays host to their good times houses a sinister beast. He's bloodthirsty, intelligent, eloquent, covered in hair, and HORNY as hell... it's SEXSQUATCH!

Now don't get me wrong....this is not a good movie by any means.  But what makes it fun is that it is not supposed to be a good movie.   The acting is horrible, but it is supposed to be.  If they were trying to make a serious movie here, then it would be awful....but this is a comedy more than anything.  It is made to be campy and corny and it succeeds. 

The humor is pretty crude, but what do you expect going into a movie with this title.  If you aren't easily offended, then you will probably get some enjoyment out of this one.   I don't know what it was about this film, but it had a certain charm to it.  It looked like a group of friend just got together to make a movie, and the result was SEXSQUATCH.  It is low budget....really, low budget, but it works.  If you are looking for a silly, crazy, goofy, cheesy, gross, immature, funny movie, then SEXSQUATCH is for you! 

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

Check out the four audio stories from children's horror author R.L. Stine, available to listen to for free on the author's website!

Here's a little horror news for you young kids out there, or for you parents of young kids, or just for all of us kids at heart!  Children's horror author R.L. Stine has written four audio short stories that are available to listen to for free on his website!  Each one is read by the author and includes spooky sound effects!  These are stories made for kids, but can be enjoyed by everyone!  Turn down the lights and listen to R.L. Stine's Rainy Night Theater!!

CLICK HERE to visit the Rainy Night Theater

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, March 19th, 2013

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 3/19:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  DARK FEED
*  EDGAR WALLACE COLLECTION VOL. 1:  THE MAD EXECUTIONERS
*  EDGAR WALLACE COLLECTION VOL. 2:  CURSE OF THE YELLOW SNAKE
*  GORGO [ULTIMATE COLLECTORS EDITION]
*  GRAVE OF THE VAMPIRE
*  HELLGATE
*  THE JITTERS
*  THE JURASSIC TERROR OF UNKNOWN ISLAND
*  SHADOW PEOPLE [DVD & Blu-ray]

Book Review: MARS ATTACKS (2012)

MARS ATTACKS
by The Topps Company
Published by Abrams Books

Most all horror fans are familiar with the MARS ATTACKS trading cards put out by the Topps company. If not, you probably know the 1996 Tim Burton film of the same title which was based on the cards.  The original 55- card set came out in 1962.  In 1994, Topps put out a second series of MARS ATTACKS cards which was contained reprints of the original 55 cards, plus 11 new cards.  Topps also released a 3rd version of the cards in 2012 containing reprints of the original 55 plus new parallel cards and inserts including 3D cards and original sketch cards!    Needless to say, the MARS ATTACKS cards have been a part of our pop-culture for decades.

The new book, MARS ATTACKS  from The Topps Company is a must have book for fans of these cards, or for those (like me) that never had the cards.  The book is a very cool hardcover book with pictures and facts of every card from the 1962 series and the 11 new cards from the 1994 release.  The pictures are in full color, of course, and are really well done. The book contains not just the front of each card, but on the opposite page is the back of the card, so you can read the entire story as it moves from card to card.  Under each picture  is a fact or tidbit about the picture on the card, or the artist that drew the card.  Some of these are very interesting and tell you some very cool info about the pictures, such as things that had to be changed or toned down to meet the family friendly guidelines that Topps had for the cards.  Some of these cards are still very graphic, so it is crazy to think what an "uncensored" set of these cards would look like.

The book itself is a very cool collectible.  The hardcover book has a wax-pack like dust jacket that makes the book feel like one of the original packs of cards.  Take off the dust jacket and the outside front cover of the book has a picture of a piece of gum, like the kind that used to come in the wax-packs.   This is a very good marketing design for this book.

I would give anything to have a complete set of the original cards, but since I don't see that happening, I can settle for having every card conveniently pictured in this handy book.  This is a must have for any horror collector.


CLICK HERE to watch the "trailer" for the book
CLICK HERE to purchase the book

DVD Review: THE G-STRING HORROR (2012)

THE G-STRING HORROR
Directed by Charles Webb
Distributed by Apprehensive Films

I just finished watching THE G-STRING HORROR, and this is quite an interesting film to say the least!  I mean, check out that cover....how could you not like this film based on that cover alone! HA!  What is good as the film lives up to that awesome cover and is quite entertaining.  Here is the basic plot of the film from the film's official website:

When a production company starts shooting a horror film in a 100 year old ... and actually haunted ... Sid Grauman built movie palace turned strip club in San Francisco, the 'inhabitants' revolt and take over the movie for their own purposes with bizarre and shocking results.

This film is very interesting in that it is shot in a documentary style, with interviews from the people around the strip club telling their stories of the weird, paranormal activity they have witnessed through the years at the club.   The acting is actually very good in this movie for the most part, something I was a little surprised at to be honest with you.   There are some very creepy visuals as well, mainly from the character of "Baby Doll" that leaves mutilated baby dolls all over the place.  Not sure why, but baby dolls have always creeped me out for some reason!  Also, the "Baby Doll" demon (as seen on the cover) is pretty creepy as well in this movie, good makeup/special effects!

I really wasn't expecting to much out of this but it is actually pretty well done, especially since this is the first film from this director.  Not a bad debut by any means!  I look forward to future films from Mr. Webb.

THE G-STRING HORROR will be available on DVD June 18th of this year and will be available at CD Universe, DVD Planet, Amazon, and many other retailers. You can also Pre-Order the DVD by clicking the link below.

Special Features on the DVD include the following:

*  GHOST ADVENTURES meets THE G-STRING HORROR -- Interviews with the cast members involved with Ghost Adventures investigation of G-string location
*  NATHASHA'S BODY -- Natasha Talonz gets a special effects body mold
*  DEBRA LAMB - PSYCHIC  -- Debra Lamb reads the Market Street Cinema
*  SCREAM BLOODY MURDER -- Behind the scenes look at Baby Doll's murder


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to pre-order the DVD

DVD Review: THE ASYLUM TAPES (2012)

THE ASYLUM TAPES
Written & Directed by Sean Stone
Distributed by Revolver Group

I had never heard of THE ASYLUM TAPES  (original title, GREYSTONE PARK) until I found myself with a DVD for review.  The cover looked intriguing, but I was not sure what to think, as these "found footage" type films seem to have saturated the horror market right now.  That being said, I am huge fan of these type films, but even I have grown a little tired of them.  I'm glad I didn't just write this one off and I gave it a chance, because this was  very entertaining film that keeps my hope up in the found footage sub-genre of horror films.  Here is the basic plot of the film from the Revolver website:

When a group of young filmmakers decide to visit an abandoned psychiatric hospital to investigate the terrifying rumours that surround an institution that was infamous for its inhumane treatment of its patients, they have no idea of the horror they will uncover.
Ward after ward was used for a variety of invasive surgical procedures, some necessary, some less so. As their exploration takes them deeper into the bowels of the building, they find themselves trapped by supernatural forces that have no intention of letting them escape.
As the night unfolds, they soon find that there is a fate worse than death. This is their footage. Everything is real.

  THE ASYLUM TAPES is a very well made film, especially considering this is director Sean Stone's feature debut.  The acting in this film is very well done, with believable characters that keep you interested and entertained.   

  I love the subject of the film, an old abandoned mental hospital.  The place these kids visit is creepy enough with all the old medical devices they find (some of which look more like torture devices), but the fact that this old hospital is now haunted makes it even creepier!    We don't really see much throughout the film, mainly we hear noises and see some shadows.  It is not a gory film by any means, not your typical blood and guts horror film. This film is very atmospheric and keeps you in suspense not knowing what these kids will see or find around the next corner.   All the little things they see and hear can not prepare them for what they find at the end. 

  Also, I have to mention the very final scene which is a very well done effect involving  a person's shadow.  Check this out for sure!  Good job to Sean Stone and his cast and crew.  If this feature debut is any indication of the caliber of films Sean will make, then hopefully we are in for some great future projects from him.

THE ASYLUM TAPES was released this past Tuesday in Canada and can be purchased from the Revolver website by clicking the link below.

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

Movie Review: DEATH BY VHS (2013)

 
DEATH BY VHS
Written by  Scarlet Fry
Directed by Scarlet Fry, David Sabal, and Jacob D. O'Neal

I recently had the privilege of checking out the latest film from Director Scarlet Fry called DEATH BY VHS.   I enjoyed his last couple of low-budget outings, NIGHTMARE ALLEY and JUNKFOOD HORRORFEST, I was expecting to enjoy this one as well, and I was not disappointed.  Before I get to my review, here is the basic plot synopsis of the film:

A battered and mysterious VCR...A bevy of lethal video- tapes... These are the building blocks of horror in "DEATH BY VHS".  A mind blowing descent into madness and death. Five shocking vignettes, designed to take your sanity and devour your soul!  Mild curiosity leads to severe consequences when a couple rents a supposedly cursed video cassette recorder. An urban legend renowned for leaving a trail of agonizing and torturous death. Unbelieving, they take the plunge... And another legend is horrifyingly born...
Do you dare give fate a winning hand, and test yourself against the hellish consequences of the VHS machine?  Insert Cassette Press Play...DIE!

Ok, before I start let me say if you have seen NIGHTMARE ALLEY or JUNKFOOD HORRORFEST, you know exactly what you are in for. These are very low budget films and it shows....but, don't let that keep you from watching this film.  What it lacks in budget, it makes up for in storytelling and charm, and keeps you entertained.  That is really all you need from a movie, big budget, small budget...it doesn't really matter as long as it does what a movie is supposed to do, and that is entertain you in some form or fashion.

Now I will say that the low budget does make for some unfortunate technical problems with this film.  Most notably the sound quality and picture quality in a few scenes.  If the filmmakers can get a little more $$ behind their next feature, it would help to improve those areas for sure.   Sometimes it was very hard to make out what the actors were saying due to the sound quality or background music being louder than the dialog.   I like low budget cinema and can appreciate it though, so this did not take the enjoyment out of watching the film for me. 

Like NIGHTMARE ALLEY and JUNKFOOD HORRORFEST, DEATH BY VHS is an anthology made up of 5 different stories/short films.  The film centers around couple that hear about these VHS tapes that have some power that gets you high by watching them.  The couple get the VHS player and the tapes from the local drug dealer, and head home to watch the films.  Each film they watch takes them to a deeper and darker place, with fatal (yet, hilarious) consequences after watching all 5 films. 

 The 5 short films within the movie are very interesting and of varied sub-genres.  The first film is "Suburban She Freak" and was probably my favorite tale of the bunch.  It centers around a woman with a major face deformity that she struggles with, until one day she orders a secret elixir from a black magic shop on the Internet.  She takes the elixir and all is well, but sometimes the side effects to certain medications can be killer!

  The next film was a black and white zombie film (I don't remember seeing a name for this one) that was very well done, and had zombies reminiscent of Romero's zombies from NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.  Lots of good gore in this one!  Check out the intestine eating scene in the trailer!

  Next was a film called "Christmas Krampus" which centers around a retarded boy and his awful, abusive parents.  Santa has a special place in his heart for kids with disabilities apparently, and gives the little boy exactly what he wanted for Christmas!  This one was a good story, and tremendous acting by the man playing the part of the mentally challenged boy.  Some may not like this one or feel as it is making fun of the handicapped, and it is a valid argument.  So, just beware going into this one.  

  The next film was titled, "Regenerate" and was a great story of an abusive boyfriend who treats his paralyzed, wheelchair bound girlfriend horribly.   A friend of hers gives her a secret drug that will help her walk again, but before that happens, her abusive boyfriend ends up killing her.  But...will that stop the drug from working? 

  The final film is called "Lepus" and I think it was the longest of all the films, at least it felt that way to me.  I would think they would leave the best for last, but unfortunately this was my least favorite of the short films.  It does contain one of the creepiest killers you will see...some dude dressed in a bunny suit that keeps saying something in German and hacking people up with a hatchet!  Unfortunately, that for me was about all it had going for it. 

  Overall, I enjoyed this film and recommend it.  This is how low-budget film making should be.  You can tell it's low  budget, but there is enough there to keep you entertained and wanting to watch.  This film reminds me of the old EC comics like "Tales from the Crypt" or "Vault of Horror" in that most of those tales had a lesson to learn from them.  This is the case with these stories as well, especially with "Suburban She Freak"  (negative results from doing anything to improve outward beauty) and "Regenerate" (don't treat others bad, or something even worse will happen to you).

DEATH BY VHS is not perfect by any means, but it is fun and entertaining which is all I ask for in a film.   DEATH BY VHS should be available on DVD this summer. 


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, March 12th, 2013

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 3/12:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)
  
*  ABOLITION  [Blu-ray]
*  THE BLOB  (Criterion Collection)
*  DEATH PENALTY.COM / DEATH PENALTY.COM:  A NEW BEGINNING  (Double Feature)
*  GRAVE ENCOUNTERS 2
*  IN THEIR SKIN
*  MONSTER (aka The Revived Monster, 1953)
*  SPIDERS
*  UNAWARE

Blu-ray Review: MIMESIS (2011)

MIMESIS
Written & Directed by Douglas Schulze
Distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment

 I didn't know much about MIMESIS until I read about it on another horror website.   The full title is MIMESIS:  NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.  I assumed this was just another bland, lame NOTLD remake, but boy was I wrong!  I guess it would have helped if I would have known the meaning of the word "Mimesis".  According to dictionary.com, Mimesis is "imitation of the real world, as by re-creating instances of human action" or "the showing of a story, as by dialogue and enactment of events".  Well, now after seeing this film, I completely understand the title.  Here is the plot synopsis from the Anchor Bay website:

What begins as a horror convention after-party for a group of fans will quickly become a genuine flesh-and-blood nightmare: Trapped inside an isolated farmhouse, they must now survive attacks by hordes of hungry zombies while desperately attempting to escape. But is this gore-soaked siege a twisted prank, an elaborate trap, or has NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD actually come to undead life? Sid Haig (THE DEVIL’S REJECTS) and Courtney Gains (CHILDREN OF THE CORN) star in this award-winning indie shocker from co-writer/director Douglas Schulze that walks the razor-sharp line between edgy homage and depraved reality...then proceeds to rip its guts out. 

 This was a very fun film.  The acting is just so-so, but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of this film.  There is some good gore and it is fun to see NOTLD come to life again for this current group of kids.  I love how original this concept is while using NOTLD as the basis.  This definitely brings something new to the table that has not been done before with all the films that remake or pay homage to NOTLD.

MIMESIS is available now in DVD and Blu-ray.  I highly recommend this one, it was a lot of fun!


CLICK HERE to watch the red band trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Movie Review: VAMP U (2013)

VAMP U
Written & Directed by:  Matt Jespersen & Maclain Nelson
Distributed by Level 33 Entertainment

  It seems like there are tons of Vampire movies that have come out the last few years.  I guess we have the TWILIGHT films to thank for that.  While I have never been a huge fan of Vampire movies, they are starting to grow on me, and VAMP U is one that I loved from the very beginning.   This is not your straight forward horror film, this is a hilarious horror /comedy, although this is much more of a comedy film than a horror film.  I am a huge fan of comedy as well as horror, so I have always enjoyed the horror/comedy sub-genre.  While there are a few horror/comedy films that work  (SCARY MOVIE 1 & 2 for example), most of them are awful (every other SCARY MOVIE since 1 & 2).   VAMP U gets it right....a horror comedy that is actually funny.   And I mean laugh out loud funny at some parts.  Before I go any further, here is the plot synopsis from the Level 33 Entertainment press release:

Wayne Gretzky (Adam Johnson) is a vampire with fangs that won’t grow. His “impotence” began when he inadvertently killed Mary, the love of his life, 300 years ago. To take his mind off the pain, he teaches college history – who better than a guy who’s been around for centuries? Attempting to regain his full vampire powers, he enlists help from his friend and colleague, Dr. Levine (Gary Cole). But nothing works…that is until a new semester brings freshman Chris Keller (Julie Gonzalo) – a dead ringer for his beloved Mary. They begin to have an affair, which quickly goes south when he accidentally turns Chris into a vampire. Now, as she leaves a bloody trail of destruction across campus – converting a sorority house full of co-eds including the irresistible Samantha (Alexis Knapp) to her vampire legion – Wayne is faced with the task of stopping her before they kill the entire student body!

Now I have to be honest here, I was not able to watch the entire film.  I was watching an online screener for the film on my iPad and for some reason it locked up after about 50 minutes.  I tried to reload it but then it kept saying "unknown film format" or something like that.   This is one of the many reasons I don't care for online screeners, but this movie looked so good I thought I would  give it a shot.  Oh well, so technically I am only reviewing the first 50 minutes of this film  (runtime shows to be 100 minutes), but I have feeling that as much as I liked the first 50 minutes, I would have enjoyed the last 50 minutes as well.  In fact, I am dying to see how this film ends, so I will be looking to purchase the DVD soon.  I would have been buying this one anyway, as this is a film I will want to watch again for sure. 

The movie looks very good from a technical aspect.  The acting is especially good for this kind of film.  Gary Cole (you probably know him as Lumbergh, from OFFICE SPACE) is great as always, as is Adam Johnson, who plays the main character, Wayne Gretsky.  The chemistry between these two actors is perfect.   As I mentioned above, the comedy is hilarious throughout the film.  The film kept me entertained the entire time with no slow spots to speak of.   I can't wait to finish this film.  From what I have seen so far, this is a must watch and I highly recommend it!

VAMP U is available now on VOD & Digital and on DVD next Tuesday, 3/12/13!  Also, if you are lucky enough to be attending the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, TX this month, there will be a one night showing of VAMP U at the famous Alamo Drafthouse Theater on March 14th at 10:00pm!  The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the cast and crew!  You can get your tickets now by visiting www.tugg.com.


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

Check out the red band trailer for the upcoming vampire film, KISS OF THE DAMNED

Check out the red band trailer for the upcoming vampire film, KISS OF THE DAMNED.  I absolutely LOVE the retro style poster for this film!  Here is the plot synopsis from the official website:

Beautiful vampire Djuna (Josephine de La Baume) tries to resist the advances of the handsome, human screenwriter Paolo (Milo Ventimiglia), but eventually gives in to their passion. When her troublemaker sister Mimi (Roxane Mesquida) unexpectedly comes to visit, Djuna’s love story is threatened, and the whole vampire community becomes endangered...

Check out the trailer and let me know what you think!  KISS OF THE DAMNED will be available On Demand  on March 28th and in limited theaters on May 3rd.


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

Check out the awesome zombie short film, KIDZ

 
  Earlier this year, my zombie page-a-day calendar (yes, I have one of these) mentioned a short zombie film called KIDZ.   Well, I checked it out tonight, and it is definitely something worth passing along to you.   KIDZ is a short (5 mins) film about a trio of kids that band together after their parents are killed during a zombie outbreak.  Although you can tell the film was made for super cheap, some of the gore effects are really well done and look very professional.  Check this film out and let me know what you think!

 
CLICK HERE to watch KIDZ

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, March 5th, 2013

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 3/5:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET COLLECTION [Blu-ray Box Set]
*  THE BAY
*  DEATH COMES IN 3'S:  9 MOVIE COLLECTION  (Includes the films Demonic Toys, Demonic Toys 2, Dollman Vs. Demonic Toys, The Gingerdead Man, Gingerdead Man 2: Passion Of The Crust, Gingerdead Man 3: Saturday Night Cleaver, Killjoy, Killjoy 2: Deliverance From Evil and Killjoy 3)
*  EATERS
*  ELFIE HOPKINS:  CANNIBAL HUNTER
*  HOUSE HUNTING

Check out the trailer for the vampire comedy film, VAMP U!

 While browsing the great horror website, horrorphilia.com, I ran across an article about a new vampire comedy film called VAMP U.  I watched the trailer and it looks like this film could be a lot of fun!  Here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the film's official website:

Professor Wayne Gretzky (Adam JOHNSON) is an impotent vampire, and has not been able to grow his fangs since he killed the love of his life three hundred years ago. With the help of his colleague Dr. Levine (Gary COLE), and a new freshman Chris (Julie GONZALO) who is a dead ringer for the lost love, he finally regains his fangs. Unfortunately, Chris' new-found blood lust brings about an entirely different set of problems.


VAMP U is available NOW on VOD and Digital Download and on DVD March 12, 2013!

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

Check out the trailer for the new film, FAVOR

  Check out the trailer for the upcoming film, FAVOR from writer/director Paul Osborne.   The film is set to premiere at the Phoenix Film Festival in April. Here is the plot of the film from the film's official website:

Kip Desmond has gotten everything he's ever wanted: a thriving career, beautiful wife and an affluent lifestyle, all of which is put in jeopardy when Abby, the waitress with whom he's having a casual fling, is accidentally killed. ​
​
Desperate, he ends up on the doorstep of childhood friend Marvin Croat and asks him for a huge favor: help get rid of the body.
​
This gruesome circumstance begins a series of events which unravels Kip and Marvin’s lifelong friendship, leading both men to murderous acts neither had ever suspected themselves capable of.

  This might be more of dark drama/thriller than a true horror film, but I think it still looks pretty cool, and even stars horror vet Jeffrey Combs!  Check out the trailer and let me know what you think!


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

Blu-ray Review: SINISTER (2012)

SINISTER
Directed by  Scott Derrickson
Distributed by Lionsgate Home Entertainment

I remember seeing the previews for SINISTER when it was released to theaters last year, and thinking it looked really good.  Somehow though, I never got around to seeing it in the theater.  Now, after watching this film on the newly released Blu-ray, I am kicking myself for not experiencing it on the big screen.  This is one creepy film, and was honestly even better than I expected it to be!  For those unfamiliar with the film, here is the basic plot from the film's official website:

SINISTER is a frightening new thriller from the producer of the PARANORMAL ACTIVITY films and the writer-director of THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE. Ethan Hawke plays a true crime novelist (Ellison Oswalt) who discovers a box of mysterious, disturbing home movies that plunge his family into a nightmarish experience of supernatural horror.

I can't say enough about how good this movie is.  The acting is superb from all involved and the film is paced very well.  There are no dull or boring moments like you find in some films.  The film is entertaining the entire running time.  The scariest moments are when Ellison turns on one of the home videos that he has found.  Each consists of a family being filmed in everyday activities, followed by video of the families being slaughtered in a variety of graphic ways.   Some of these are actually very hard to watch, and in one crazy scene, I actually jumped and had to pause the film for a second to get settled before going on.  I felt like I had been punched in the stomach after seeing that scene.  I won't say what it involves, but you will probably know it when you see it.

This is must have for any horror fan.  I highly recommend this one.  I don't remember enjoying a horror movie this much in a long time.  The Blu-ray and DVD are available now.  Special Features include the following:

*  Audio commentary with director Scott Derrickson
*  Audio commentary with writers Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill
*  "Living in a House of Death" featurette
*  "True Crime Authors" featurette
*  Deleted scenes with optional audio commentary with director Scott Derrickson


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

HAYES HUDSON'S HOUSE OF HORROR has been nominated for a Rondo Award!!

  I just found out tonight that my blog has been nominated for the prestigious RONDO AWARD under the "Best Blog of 2012" category!   For those that aren't familiar with the Rondo Awards, it is the top prize given in the horror community....this is our Oscar!

  The Rondo Awards were named after actor Rondo Hatton.  You can read all about him by clicking HERE.

  It is a huge honor to be nominated for this award.  I can't tell you how awesome this is!   Now, it would be amazingly awesome to win, but just being nominated truly is a huge thing.  Think of all the fan blogs out on the Internet....there are tons of them.  For mine to be chosen among the top is a very cool thing.  

  Voting for the Rondo's is easy, just click the link below to see the ballot and follow the instructions to vote.  Voting just consists of sending an email with your choices.  You can vote in any or all of the categories.  There are a lot of categories, so you don't have to vote in every one...just the ones you want to. 

  Voting goes through April 7th, and you can only vote once.   I would really appreciate your support with a vote for HAYES HUDSON'S HOUSE OF HORROR for Best Blog of 2012!   Thank You!!

- Zombie Hayes


CLICK HERE to visit the Rondo Awards website to vote!

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, February 26th, 2013

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 2/26:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  BIO-SLIME
*  CELIA:  CHILD OF TERROR
*  CRAWL
*  GERBER SYNDROME
*  GIRLS AGAINST BOYS  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD
*  KISS THE ABYSS
*  MONSTER FROM BIKINI BEACH
*  NOBODY GETS OUT ALIVE
*  OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES: REMASTERED EDITION [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  RED TEARS
*  SHE DEVIL  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  SILENT HILL REVELATION  [DVD/Blu-ray/3D Blu-ray combo pack]
*  ZOMBIE LAKE:  REMASTERED EDITION  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  ZOMBIE MASSACRE:  ARMY OF THE DEAD
 

Watch an exclusive clip from the upcoming Rob Zombie film, THE LORDS OF SALEM!

  Earlier this week, Entertainment Weekly posted an exclusive clip from the upcoming Rob Zombie film, THE LORDS OF SALEM!  I can not wait for this film, as it looks very creepy and has the great style we have come to expect from Rob Zombie.  Check out the clip and let me know what you think!  Also, right after the clip from the film is the official trailer #2 of the film.  Check that out as well!  

  THE LORDS OF SALEM is scheduled for theatrical release on April 19th.

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

Crazy Japanese movie alert! It's the splatter sports comedy film, DEADBALL!

 Ahh...those crazy Japanese and their crazy ass films.  You just gotta love 'em!  I am a huge fan of  Japanese horror films.  I don't think I have ever seen a splatter/sports/comedy movie though!  That will change soon hopefully, as I hope to get my hands on a copy of Yudai Yamaguchi’s DEADBALL!  The movie looks pretty crazy!  Here is some info about the film from the Sushi Typhoon website:

GRAB YOUR BAT AND HOLD ONTO YOUR BALLS….IT’S GAME TIME!!

Baseball prodigy Jubeh Yakyu (Tak Sakaguchi) is the most feared and dangerous juvenile delinquent in all of Japan. After accidentally causing the death of his father with a super-powered, deadly fireball pitch, Jubeh swore off baseball and became a criminal and now, at 17, has been sent to the Pterodactyl Juvenile Reformatory for hardened criminals. Headmistress Ishihara, the granddaughter of a World War II Nazi collaborator, runs the institution with an iron fist and the enthusiastic help of her sadistic assistant, Ilsa. After arriving at the hellhole, Jubeh soon learns from governor Mifune that his long-lost, younger brother Musashi had also done time there after a murder spree, but had since died mysteriously.

Despite having sworn never to play baseball again, Jubeh is presented with an ultimatum by governor Mifune: join the reformatory team, The Gauntlets, in the national tournament for juvenile inmates, or witness the death of his innocent cellmate Four Eyes (Mari Hoshino). With the knowledge that the death of his brother is somehow connected to the team, Jubeh agrees, and Gauntlet training begins. Their first opponents: the sexy but deadly “psycho butcher girls” of the St. Black Dahlia High School, a team of literal man-killers. And so the splatterific baseball tournament begins, but Jubeh soon learns that he is not only fighting to win the game, but also to save his own life!

A hilariously offensive, politically incorrect sports splatter comedy, DEADBALL is director Yudai Yamaguchi’s follow-up to his earlier zombie baseball classic BATTLEFIELD BASEBALL, and once again features action star Tak Sakaguchi (VERSUS, BE A MAN! SAMURAI SCHOOL). A riotous, over-the-top epic of excess, DEADBALL is the movie for the psycho sports fan in all of us, and more fun than a prison cavity search!


I am not sure about a release date yet, but once I find out I will let you know, and hopefully will be able to a do a full review of the film.

CLICK HERE to go to the Sushi Typhoon website and watch the trailer

Double Feature Blu-ray Review: ZOMBIE LAKE (1981) and OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES (1982)

 
OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES
Directed by:  Jesús Franco
Distributed by Redemption Films/Kino Lorber, Inc.

ZOMBIE LAKE
Directed by:  Jean Rollin
Distributed by Redemption Films/Kino Lorber, Inc.

The great folks over at Kino Lorber, Inc. have just released two classic European zombie films onto DVD and Blu-ray.   Jean Rollin's ZOMBIE LAKE and Jess Franco's OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES aren't the best zombie movies ever made, but they both have a certain nostalgic feel to them that makes them sort of "cult classics" when it comes to foreign zombie films.  The films are very similar in many ways, and both have their good points and bad.  Here are the basic plots of the films from the Kino Lorber website:

OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES
In telling the story of a cache of German gold—lost in the desert, sought by a group of teenagers, protected by the walking dead—Franco demonstrated his characteristic lack of restraint, shamelessly inserting stock footage from a bigger-budget war picture, allowing his camera to dwell on the worm-eaten orifices of the shriveled undead and, of course, lacing the action with his trademark style of lyrical eroticism. The resulting film is a decadent exercise in grindhouse filmmaking that is more audacious than frightening, illuminating one of the more peculiar facets of Jess Franco's uniquely warped cinema.

ZOMBIE LAKE
Conceived by one master of erotic horror (Jess Franco) and pseudonymously directed by another (Jean Rollin), ZOMBIE LAKE weaves the tale of a contemporary French village haunted by water-logged Nazis slain by the Resistance. With little regard for narrative subtlety, the film veers from the shamelessly exploitive (as when a women's volleyball team skinny-dips in zombie-infested waters) to the tearfully sentimental (depicting a young orphan girl's psychic connection to one of the walking dead). Beneath its garish surface, however, ZOMBIE LAKE embraces several themes that run throughout Rollin's body of work, showing that this eclectic artist could not help investing even a playful film such as this with his personal sensibilities

As I mentioned before, both of these movies have their good and bad points.  OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES is just very strange, and the plot is hard to follow. I saw this movie years ago on DVD under the title of BLOODSUCKING NAZI ZOMBIES, and the film was extremely hard to watch in terms of a technical aspect.  The film was very dark and grainy and almost hard to make out certain scenes at some points.  I will say that the film is much improved on with this release, especially on the Blu-ray.  The lighting issues are fixed and it is very good picture quality overall.  Also, I think the zombie makeup effects are better in this film compared to those in ZOMBIE LAKE.  They are not great zombie effects by any means, but compared to ZOMBIE LAKE, they are superior.

ZOMBIE LAKE is my favorite of these two films by far.  The zombie effects are not nearly as good in this film.  Basically, the zombies are just regular men with green face paint.  But, even so, seeing a bunch of green faced zombie soldiers rise out of the lake is a very cool image.  There are also numerous underwater shots of the zombies attacking people who go swimming in the lake (usually young, attractive, naked women).  These underwater scenes are fun, especially considering the lake is dark brown, but the underwater scenes are pretty blue water like you would find in a swimming pool...hmmm.  Ha!  You gotta love low budget films!  ZOMBIE LAKE is a lot of fun and I recommend you check this one out.  

Both films are available now from Kino Lorber and are packed with special features!  I am proud to add these films to my zombie movie collection, and you should to!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer for OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES
CLICK HERE to purchase OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES on DVD or Blu-ray


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer for ZOMBIE LAKE
CLICK HERE to purchase ZOMBIE LAKE on DVD or Blu-ray

DVD Review: NIGHT OF THE TENTACLES (2013)

 
NIGHT OF THE TENTACLES
Written & Directed by:  Dustin Mills
Distributed by MVDvisual

  I love the cover of this DVD.  What a great cover...from the pic, to the cool font of the title.  The case for this DVD is awesome!  Unfortunately, what is inside the case...well..not so much.  Here is the plot of NIGHT OF THE TENTACLES from the MVD website:

  In this obscene Faustian tale a young artist sells his soul to Satan for the new heart he so desperately needs. The only catch is that the heart is a tentacled monstrosity with a hunger for human flesh! Will Dave get the girl of his dreams? Will he run out of neighbors to feed to his infernal heart? Will Delilah ever finish urinating? Find out in NIGHT OF THE TENTACLES!!!

  This will be a short review, as there is really not much to say about this one.  The acting is horrible, especially from the lead male playing the part of Dave.  He might have potential to be a good actor, but in this film he overacts way too much, making some really dumb faces and facial expressions all throughout the film.  It's almost like he is trying to be like Bruce Campbell from the EVIL DEAD films except he is trying way too hard.  Watch it and you will probably see what I mean. 

  This film is very low budget and it shows.  Now don't get me wrong, I can enjoy and appreciate a good, low-budget film.  I have seen a lot of them.  As long as they entertain me and keep me interested, I couldn't care less what the budget for the film was.  NIGHT OF THE TENTACLES did not keep me interested.  In fact, it took me a couple of times to watch the film as I kept falling asleep. 

  I really can't recommend this film to anyone.  BUT...like I always say, check it out for yourself and see what you think.  I have seen quite a few positive review quotes about this film, so maybe it is just me.  I have to be honest in my reviews, though, so I am telling it like it is.  

 If you have seen this film, leave a comment and let me know what you thought of this movie.  Am I wrong in my negative review of this film?  Leave a comment and let me know!

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

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, February 19th, 2013

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 2/19:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  ATTACK OF THE HERBELS
*  AXED
*  BATH SALT ZOMBIES
*  BIKINI BLOODBATH SHAKESPEARE
*  COOL AS HELL
*  DEMON EXORCISM:  THE DEVIL INSIDE MAXWELL BASTAS
*  DEAD GENESIS
*  THE FACTORY
*  THE HAUNTED DOLLHOUSE
*  HOLLOW
*  I LOVE YOU TO DEATH
*  LAKE PLACID:  THE FINAL CHAPTER
*  LAKE NOIR
*  THE NEST  [Blu-ray/DVD combo]
*  NIGHT OF THE DEMONS 2  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  PRISON  [Blu-ray/DVD combo]
*  RIDDLE
*  SINISTER  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  SNOW SHARK 
*  TERROR VISION/ THE VIDEO DEAD Double Feature [Blu-ray/DVD combo]
*  THE VIRGIN MURDERS

Check out this great giveaway over at ShatteredRavings.com!!

 











  My buddy Scott over at the Shattered Ravings blog must just be the nicest guy in the world.  Seems like it was only a few weeks ago I was posting about a giveaway on his blog.  Oh wait..that WAS just a few weeks ago, yet he is already at it again!! 

 Up for grabs this time is a trio of awesome books!  The books include:


Awakening: The Art of Halo 4

Resident Evil: Retribution (the official novelization of the movie)

Supernatural: Rite of Passage



This is an awesome prize pack and is totally free to enter and win!! 


CLICK HERE to go to the Shattered Ravings post about the giveaway to enter