Have you watched the trailer for ALIEN: COVENANT yet?

  I hope you all had a great Christmas holiday!  You might have noticed I took a little time away from the blog, as it is a very busy time of year!  I might be away a lot this New Years holiday weekend as well, so I thought I would leave you this trailer to watch.   It's the Red Band trailer for the new ALIEN:  COVENANT movie coming out on May 19, 2017! 
  I can't wait for this new addition to the ALIEN films!

Check out the trailer and let me know what you think!

Blu-ray Review: CREEPSHOW 2 (1987)

CREEPSHOW 2
Directed by Michael Gornick
Distributed by Arrow Films / MVD Entertainment Group

 It has literally been over 20 years since I have seen CREEPSHOW 2.  I remember liking the movie a  lot, but for some reason just have never re-visited it.   That all changed when by Blu-ray copy of the film arrived in my mailbox.   I was really looking forward to watching this one and it definitely didn't disappoint.  It was just as good as I remember it being way back when I saw it for the first time.
Here is the basic plot of the film from the MVD website:

  WHEN THE CURTAIN GOES UP THE TERROR BEGINS Horror titans George A. Romero and Stephen King deliver yet another fiendish selection of blood-curdling tales in Creepshow 2 - now newly remastered in 2K! In "Old Chief Wood'nhead", a group of young hoodlums face retribution from an unlikely source after looting a local hardware store. Meanwhile, "The Raft" sees a group of horny teens wishing they'd read the warning signs first before taking a dip in a remote lake. Finally, an uptight businesswoman finds herself with some unwanted company following a hit-and-run incident in "The Hitch-hiker". Whilst retaining the EC comic book flavour that made the original such a hit, Creepshow 2, this time directed by long-time Romero collaborator Michael Gornick, is a decidedly darker and grimmer affair than its predecessor and remains one of the greatest horror anthologies of all time.

  I am a big fan of anthology horror films, and there is a reason most all anthologies that come out these days are compared to the CREEPSHOW films.   CREEPSHOW and CREEPSHOW 2 are perfect examples of how anthologies should be made.   The 3 stories that make up CREEPSHOW 2 are all wonderful in their own way.  

  The first segment,  "Old Chief Wood'nhead", is about an old wooden storefront Indian that comes to life and takes revenge on the hoodlums that killed the owners of the store he stood out in front of.   The effects are very well done, and the segment has some very memorable scenes, including the shadow silhouette of the 'ol Chief giving one of the hoodlums a good axe to the head.  

  The next segment, "The Raft", is probably my favorite of the three.  It's a simple story of a group of kids that go swimming in a lake and get stranded on a dock out in the middle of the lake, unable to swim to the shore due to the blob like creature waiting for them in the water.   This is a fun tale with some good gory effects as the blob creature basically dissolves the person that it envelops.

  The final segment, "The Hitch-hiker", is a great tale of man that is run over by a car, but then stays with the care and driver, tormenting her along the way, as she continues to "kill" the unwanted passenger.  She soon finds out this guy just can't be killed.  The transition he makes with being more and more beaten and bloodied each time we see him is quite gory, especially at the end when he is basically just a pile of mush with eyeballs hanging down.  This was by far the goriest segment of the film with some amazing effects.

  It's no wonder this film is full of great effects.  The effects were done by Howard Berger, Greg Nicotero, and Tom Savini, among others.   If you have never seen CREEPSHOW 2 or even if you have, you need to grab a copy of this new Arrow Blu-ray.  The picture quality is stunning and makes it look like a movie that was just filmed lately.  
 
  CREEPSHOW 2 is available now from Arrow Video and MVD and contains the following special features:

*  Brand new 2K restoration from original film elements
*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
*  Original Uncompressed PCM Mono 1.0, Stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD MA Surround Audio Options
*  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
*  Audio Commentary with director Michael Gornick
*  Poncho's Last Ride - a brand new interview with actor Daniel Beer
*  The Road to Dover - a brand new interview with actor Tom Wright
*  Screenplay for a Sequel - an interview with screenwriter George A. Romero
*  Tales from the Creep - an interview with actor and make-up artist Tom Savini
*  Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Mike Saputo
*  Nightmares in Foam Rubber - archive featurette on the special effects of Creepshow 2, including interviews with FX artists Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero
*  My Friend Rick - Berger on his special effects mentor Rick Baker
*  Behind-the-Scenes Footage
*  Image Gallery
*  Trailers & TV Spots
*  Original Screenplay (BD-ROM Content)
*  FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Michael Blyth


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

 

 

 

This week's horror related DVD and Blu-ray releases, December 20th

Here are this week's horror related DVD/BD's that come out tomorrow, 12/20:

*  THE DISAPPOINTMENTS ROOM  [DVD]
*  HELLRAISER:  THE SCARLET BOX LIMITED EDITION  [Arrow BD]
*  ROB ZOMBIE'S 31  [DVD & BD]

Blu-ray Review: ATTACK ON TITAN: PART 1 (2015)

ATTACK ON TITAN:  PART 1
Directed by  Shinji Higuchi
Distributed by Funimation

 I'll be honest, I don't know why this movie is not getting more accolades than it is.  I honestly haven't seen too many people discussing this one in the Facebook horror groups I am in, but they definitely should be!   The film is ATTACK ON TITAN and it is easily one of the best films I have seen this year.   Here is the basic plot synopsis courtesy of the Funimation website:

 When the Titans first attacked, life for mankind was forever changed. Fearing the massive man-eating humanoids, survivors constructed three enormous walls for protection. From that point on, humanity lived safely behind the walls for the time being. A century later, life is peaceful. Eren and his friends live inside the walls, yearning to explore beyond the borders they've always known. But the opportunity comes sooner than expected when a Colossal Titan appears above the wall. With a single kick the barricade is pierced, allowing a swarm of titans to pour in and devour their newly exposed prey. Witnessing the devastation, Eren and his friends vow to destroy the man-eating terrors. The future looks bleak, but there's more to Eren than meets the eye: he may be humanity's last hope against extinction.

 The first thing I wondered about this was if I'd enjoy it having not read any of the original manga that it is based on.  Well, the answer is a definite YES, so don't worry if you don't know anything about the ATTACK ON TITAN story.  I didn't know anything about it at all, and it did not keep me from liking this film one bit.  

  The film is shot beautifully, with some amazing cinematography and a wonderful blending of the practical and CGI effects. The Titan's are all CG, obviously, but they look great and are done extremely well.   The film is extremely entertaining with almost no slow parts at all.  It doesn't take long for the action to start with the arrival of the colossal Titan, and it never slows down from there.   The first part of the film feels like a GODZILLA type monster movie as the Titans destroy the village by stomping and pounding the buildings, and eating the townfolk.   Later the film turns into an all out bloodbath as a group of soldiers goes out to take on the Titans, who can only be killed by lopping off the skin at the base of their necks. 

 I honestly don't have anything negative to say about this film.  It was a fun film that has really made me want to go check out the original graphic novel and the animated series.   While more of an sci-fi action than a horror film, it still had tons of gore that even the biggest horror fan will appreciate and enjoy!  
 
  ATTACK ON TITAN:  PART 1 is available now on DVD and Blu-ray from Funimation.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray/DVD combo
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

This week's horror related DVD and Blu-ray releases, December 13th

Here are this week's horror related DVD/BD's that come out tomorrow, 12/13:

*  ABBEY GRACE  [DVD]
*  BLACK CHRISTMAS  [Scream Factory BD]
*  CREEPSHOW 2  [Arrow BD]
*  THE DEVIL LIVES HERE  [DVD]
*  DRILLER KILLER  [Arrow BD/Steelbook BD]
*  THE ECSTASY OF ISABEL MANN  [DVD]
*  EVIL BONG HIGH-5 [Full Moon DVD]
*  FEAR THE WALKING DEAD:  SEASON 2  [DVD & BD]
*  HOLLYWOOD HORROR HOUSE  [Full Moon DVD]
*  THE HYBRID  [DVD]
*  I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER  [BD]
*  JACK FROST  [Vinegar Syndrome BD]
*  KILLER RACK  [DVD]
*  THE LADIES OF THE HOUSE  [DVD]
*  THE LEGEND OF SIX FINGERS  [DVD]
*  LET'S BE EVIL  [BD]
*  THE LODGER  [BD]
*  THE ORPHAN KILLER  [Reelgore Releasing BD]
*  THE OUIJA POSESSION  [DVD]
*  SECRET SANTA  [DVD]
*  SHELLEY  [BD]
*  STABBED IN THE FACE  [DVD]
*  WATCH ME DIE  [DVD]

Blu-ray Review: CALL GIRL OF CTHULHU (2014)

CALL GIRL OF CTHULHU
Directed by Chris LaMartina
Distributed by Camp Motion Pictures

  You jut never know what you are going to get with low budget, independent horror films. Some can be really good, while others...actually the majority can be really bad.  I had no idea what to expect from CALL GIRL OF CTHULHU, but I am happy to report that this film is a hidden gem among low budget horror films!  Here is the basic plot from the Alternative Cinema website:

  From the makers of WNUF HALLOWEEN SPECIAL comes the goriest, most hilarious H.P. Lovecraft tribute to ever splatter the screen.
  Carter Wilcox (David Phillip Carollo) is a struggling artist who’s been saving his virginity for someone special. When he meets the enchanting escort Riley Whatley (Melissa O'Brien), he believes he’s found the one. Unfortunately, she’s also "someone special" to an ancient cult that believes she is the chosen bride of its alien god, Cthulhu.  Forced to mate with the tentacled deity, Riley becomes a vessel for the spawn that will destroy mankind.
  Now, Carter and his noise musician roommate, Erica Zann (Nicolette le Faye), must battle the sinister cult and unimaginable creatures to save Riley... and the rest of humanity.
  Will they save the world or surrender to the slimy grip of the Great Old Ones?

 One of the first things I noticed about this film was that it looked like a much higher budget movie than I think it actually was.   That, and the acting was much better overall than most films of this caliber.   There was also a great mix of comedy and horror, something that is hard to get right in films like this.  

  The best thing about this film in my opinion, are all the great and gruesome special effects throughout the film.  The best part about them is that they are almost all practical effects, something that is extremely rare in low budget horror movies these days.  These is something about practical effects that CGI just will never be able to duplicate.  You can definitely tell the difference on screen, and that makes for an overall better movie in my opinion.  

  This is a crazy flick for sure, full of crazy body modifications and gore, somewhat reminiscent of a Troma originally film, except it looks like a much better quality film than most Troma films.  If you like that crazy type of film, though, you should love CALL GIRL OF CTHULHU.  I highly recommend it! 

 CALL GIRL OF CTHULHU  is available now as a BD/DVD combo pack and contains the following special features:

*  Two Audio Commentary Tracks
*  Lights! Tentacles! Action!:  The Making of CALL GIRL OF CTHULHU
*  Dunwhich Whorers:  The Outtakes of Cthulhu
*  Kicstarter Videos
    - Kick Off Video
    - A Special Message From H.P. Lovecraft
    - My 5 Year Old Niece Explains Cthulhu
    - Cthulhu For President Commercial
    - A Special Message From George Stover
*  CALL GIRL OF CTHULHU Trailer
*  Camp Motion Pictures Trailer Vault


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the BD/DVD combo pack

Check out the great new streaming site, IBLEEDINDIE.COM!

 
  Check out the great new streaming website dedicated to indie horror!   It's like Netflix for indie horror films!   Here is a brief description from the IBleedIndie.com website:

 IBleedIndie is a PPV website dedicated to indie horror. Many indie horror film makers choose to distribute their films independently rather than dealing with distribution companies or sales agents. This option severely limits their VOD options, narrowing it down to personal Youtube or Vimeo channels. This site is designed with self distribution in mind, although we do also have a good few films from amazing indie friendly companies like Wild Eye, Artsploitation, Brinkvision, SGL, and more! We allow indie film makers to keep 90% of the sales from rentals on this site and they get to keep all rights to their films rather than being locked into years-long contracts. If you love indie horror, be sure to check out our parent company, theblood-shed.com, one of the best indie horror-focused news sites out there! Stay scary and support independent film makers!

  I looked around the site tonight and they have tons of great short films and feature films, all available for around $1 to $3 to rent.   This is an awesome new service that focuses solely on indie horror!  Click the links below for more info!

CLICK HERE to check out IBleedIndie.com!
CLICK HERE to visit IBleedIndie.com's Facebook page to stay up to date on news and new releases

This week's horror related DVD and Blu-ray releases, December 6th

Here are this week's horror related DVD/BD's that come out tomorrow, 12/6:

*  BEFORE I DIE  [DVD]
*  DEADRISING 2:  ENDGAME  [DVD & BD]
*  THE DEVIL'S DOLLS  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER  [BD]
*  JACK GOES HOME  [DVD]
*  PHANTASM:  RAVAGER  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  PHANTASM:  REMASTERED   [DVD & BD]
*  THE POSSESSION EXPERIMENT  [DVD]
*  THE REMAINS  [DVD]
*  SCREAM QUEENS:  Season 1  [DVD]
*  SIREN  [DVD]
*  TRASH FIRE  [DVD]
*  THE UNSPOKEN  [DVD]

Blu-ray Review: DON'T BREATHE (2016)

DON'T BREATHE
Directed by Fede Alvarez
Distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

  I'm going to start by saying this is by far one of my favorite horror films of 2016.   DON'T BREATHE looked amazing from the trailer, but I never got a chance to see it in the theater.  I finally had the chance to check out the Blu-ray and I am really mad I didn't see this one in the theater.  What a great film, full of suspense that would have been amazing on the big screen with 7.0 surround sound.  The film was still super suspenseful and enjoyable watching at home, though.  Here is the basic plot from Sony Pictures website:

  From the twisted minds behind EVIL DEAD comes a new terrifying experience. Three young thieves (Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto) fight for their lives after breaking into the home of a blind man (Stephen Lang) who has a dark side.

  Ok, seems like a very simple plot, but there is so much more to the movie than this plot tells you.  It is pretty simple at first as the 3 kids try to pull of the robbery of the blind man, a Military Vet that not take kindly to people coming in to take his money.   While he is blind, he has a heightened since of hearing that makes it easier than you think for the man to track the burglars inside his home, hence the title DON'T BREATHE, as even the slightest sound of a breath could tip the man off as to their whereabouts. 

  While you think the kids would have the advantage over the blind man, you find out very quickly that is not the case, as he knows his way around the house better than anyone, especially when he trips the breaker box and puts them all in complete blackness.  This immediately puts the kids at an extreme disadvantage.

  Now my immediate instinct when I was watching this film was to ask why the man doesn't call the police as soon as he knows they are in his house?  Well, that is soon answered with a shocking revelation that the kids stumble upon while in the man's basement looking for a way out.    I won't say much more as to not give anything away, but you immediately see why the man would not want any law enforcement to come anywhere near his home!

  DON'T BREATHE is a must see for all horror fans in my opinion.  It is available now on DVD, BD, and Digital Download and contains the following special features:

*  8 Deleted Scenes with Director's Commentary
*  No Escape featurette
*  Creating the Creepy House featurette
*  Meet the Cast featurette
*  Commentary with Director Fede Alvarez, Co-Writer Rodo Sayagues, and actor Stephen Lang
*  Man in the Dark featurette
*  The Sounds of Horror featurette


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