THE CABIN IN THE WOODS - check out these great books from Titan Books

   
  If you are a fan of THE CABIN IN THE WOODS, which was released this week on DVD and Blu-ray, then you definitely need to check out a couple of books from Titan Books.   Most everyone is familiar with the movie by now.  Most people loved it, a few  (myself included) did not.   But I love horror books and to me, these books  (especially the Official Visual Companion), are even better than the film itself. 

 First off, there is THE CABIN IN THE WOODS:  THE OFFICIAL MOVIE NOVELIZATION by New York Times Bestselling Author, Tim Lebbon.    This is a small, mass-market size paperback that tells you the story of the film in the form of a novel.  The book is 304 pages.

 Next, there is THE CABIN IN THE WOODS:  THE OFFICIAL VISUAL COMPANION.   This is a large size paperback (8 1/2” x 10 7/8”), or what I would call a "coffee-table book".  This book is 176 pages and features  the complete screenplay of the film, interviews with the main cast members, and tons of awesome, full-color photos from the film.  This book also features a great chapter on on the making of the creatures and monsters from the film, including artist sketches and concept art.  I always find it interesting to see how an artist draws and envisions a creature, and then how it actually turns out on film.   You have to admit that the make-up and effects artists on this film are top notch and did an amazing job. This is an awesome book, full of great gory pics for all you gore hounds out there.  Some of the gore scenes were cut away quick in the film, so it is great to get to see them in full color in this book, where you can really get a good look at some of the scenes for as long as you want.

 If you are a fan of THE CABIN IN THE WOODS, you will want to check out these two books for sure.  Heck, even if you are not a fan of the movie, you will still love the Visual Companion book, I sure do!!  Titan Books continues to release some of the best movie related books out there, and they have hit another home run with these great books.


CLICK HERE to buy the paperback movie novelization
CLICK HERE to buy the official visual Companion
    

Check out the film PLAY DEAD, a film of the off-broadway live horror show!!

  Now this looks cool!  PLAY DEAD is a film of a live stage show of the same name.  The film is directed by Shade Rupe and Teller  (of the comedy/magic team Penn & Teller).   The film stars Teller and Todd Robbins in what looks to be one of the coolest stage shows ever!  For those that don't have a chance to see the live show, we can all experience it now thanks to this film!  Here is some basic info about the show from the official website of the film:

  Famed silent magician Teller (of Penn & Teller) and Coney Island showman Todd Robbins thrill a live audience with gory ghastly spectacles based on real-life killers and psychic pranksters in this film of their off-Broadway show PLAY DEAD, caught live at The Players Theatre on Manhattan's historic MacDougal street.
 "Play Dead" is inspired by the American spook show, an underground entertainment that thrived from the 1930s to the 1970s. It was quite an experience for fans of Grand Guignol, and we've been told we've done a fair job of conveying that onscreen. Expect brutal onstage beatings, nubile nudity, and chunks of the show performed in absolute darkness. Even the exit signs go off! Be welcome, and BEWARE!
  In the live show, the audience is frequently plunged into total darkness. For the film, we shot what went on in the dark in infrared, and, from time to time, we let filmgoers glimpse some of the secrets the live audience never got to see.

I would love to check out this live show.....I can't imagine how much fun it would be. But, this film looks like it will capture all the magic and mystique of the live show for all of us who don't have a chance to see it live.    The film premiered July 27th at the Fantasia International Film Festival.  Keep an eye on the website and join the mailing list to keep up to date on future screenings.  


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

DVD Review: THE WALKING DEAD GIRLS (2011)

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


THE WALKING DEAD GIRLS
Directed by  Tyler Benjamin
Distributed by Cheezy Flicks

Wow...I guess it’s been a while since I’ve reviewed something for Hayes. Where have I been, you might ask? Well, quite a few places. But that is neither here nor there (or is it?). So on with the review!

This week’s film is THE WALKING DEAD GIRLS, a documentary that looks at the recent rise of zombie popularity in the U.S., as well as the macabre fascination with hot models doled up like the living dead. Are you interested yet? Of course you are. And I have to admit: this was a film that jumped off the shelf at me.

If you are not familiar with THE WALKING DEAD GIRLS, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the Cheezy Flicks website:

 

The Walking Dead Girls is a behind-the-scenes look into zombie culture in the United States and the obsession into "Sexy Female Zombies". What is it about Zombie Bimbos or "Zimbies" that are starting to gain the worlds interest? Why are zombies now in mainstream culture and seen in advertising from JCPenny and Sears? With interviews with zombie master maker George Romero and cult movie star Bruce Campbell from ZomBcon 2010 and so much more. Also with a rare look into the making of a Zombie Pinup Calendar, behind the scenes of "Stripperland" The Walking Dead Girls is a sexy look into the zombie phenomenon created by George Romero that is 40 years in the making.

THE WALKING DEAD GIRLS is an interesting, albeit short, exposition into why zombies are so entertaining. Yet the film is lacking in certain areas. There’s no real depth here, no “fleshing out”, as it were. In its place are a series of semi-meaty interviews and behind-the-scenes snippets from a Zombie Pinup Calendar shoot.

 

The documentary starts with an interview of horror icon George Romero. I am a HUGE fan of Romero and am always interested to see him interviewed. Unfortunately, this one doesn’t really bring anything new to the table; the dialogue is familiar because I’ve seen him answer the same questions several times before during different interviews.

There are several other interviews in THE WALKING DEAD GIRLS as well, including visits with Bruce Campbell, Terry Alexander, John Amplas, Linnea Quigley, and more. Most of these interviews ask the same questions, and I suppose it is interesting to note the difference in the interviewees responses. I do have to mention that the woman doing the interviewing asks some very nonsensical questions of her guests, such as “What is your favorite food?” and “What kind of car do you drive?”.

The behind-the-scenes footage of the Zombie Pinup Calendar is pretty interesting though. It is cool to see the models before and after their transformations; not to mention seeing the sets on which the shoot take place. And the interviews with the models are, surprisingly enough, actually more interesting than those with the celebrities for the most part.

THE WALKING DEAD GIRLS, while somewhat entertaining, is not necessarily one that I’m recommending. If you’re looking for in-depth zombie commentary, I would steer clear. However if you’re interested in checking out the pinup girls, then definitely give it a look.

 

- MSB

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

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, September 18th, 2012

 

Here are this week's horror/exploitation related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 9/18:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  BAIT 3D [DVD & 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD combo pack]
*  BARRICADE:  DIRECTOR'S CUT
*  BLACK SUNDAY:  REMASTERD EDITION  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE CABIN IN THE WOODS [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  DRACULA BLOWS HIS COOL
*  HALLOWEEN II  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  HALLOWEEN III:  SEASON OF THE WITCH  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  HATCHET FOR THE HONEYMOON:  REMASTERED EDITION  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  MONSTER SQUAD:  THE COMPLETE SERIES  (1976)
*  NIGHT OF THE DEMONS [Blu--ray]
*  QUEEN OF THE DAMNED  [Blu-ray]
*  THE REVENANT
*  SUPERNATURAL: THE COMPLETE 7TH SEASON  [DVD & Blu-ray]

A look back at the FRIDAY THE 13th NES game...

  Making the post about the Mortal Kombat games yesterday got me thinking about how cool some horror related games could be.   I have gotten back into video games after getting an Xbox 360 last Christmas "for the kids". Ha!  I have played DEAD RISING, DEAD ISLAND, and the CALL OF DUTY ZOMBIE games, but where are our favorite Horror icons?  Where is a FRIDAY THE 13TH or NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET game...or a TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE game?  If they exist, I don't know about them.  In fact, the only FRIDAY THE 13TH game I remember was back on the original 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System.  If you never had a chance to play this game, you did not miss much. In fact, it is widely considered one of the worst NES games of all time. 

  Here is a short video showing you actual game-play from the game.  Basically you just walked around shooting zombies with stones or knives, and then going in cabins every now and then to defend the campers from Jason.   After doing that that a number of times, then you get to fight Jason in a fight to the finish!   Sounds exciting, huh?  Well it wasn't.  It was super boring and just dumb on many levels.  I remember it also being super hard and nearly impossible to actually get to the final battle with Jason. Watch some game play in the video below:



And then watch the video below to see the extremely anti-climatic ending.  It seems after making it this far and actually defeating Jason that you would get something a little better than this!





  I can't imagine why a new FRIDAY THE 13TH game has never been made for the new game systems.  With the graphics nowadays, you could make a really great game.  I envision a first person shooter where you search Camp Crystal Lake for weapons to kill Jason.   I think that could be a lot of fun, but until then, you can dust off that old NES and play this version, although I wouldn't recommend it!

Check out the Top 10 bloodiest fatalities from the MORTAL KOMBAT video game series!

 While talking on X-box live with my buddy Scott last night, who runs the awesome Shattered Ravings blog, he asked me if I ever played the Mortal Kombat games.  I have never been a fan of fighting games, mainly because they just seemed to repetitive and honestly...just too hard.   I never could figure out all the combinations of buttons to push to do the cool moves, so basically I just pushed random buttons and hoped for the best!   Needless to say, I didn't win very often. 
 Anyway, I always heard about all the great kills from the Mortal Kombat series, and he mentioned you could watch them on YouTube.  So, I checked it out, and some of these are extremely brutal!  Gaming site ScrewAttack.com has put together a great Top 10 list.  Check it out by clicking the link below and then comment and let me know your favorite of the list.  My favorite is DAiROU's move were he rips our your ribs, and then stabs you in the eyes with them!  Classic!


CLICK HERE to watch the Top 10 Mortal Kombat Fatalities

Check out the trailer for TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D

  This is probably one of my most anticipated films of the year for me.  I am a HUGE fan of Tobe Hooper's original classic, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE.   I love all the sequels  (yes, even part 3), and I love the recent remake and prequel.   The original film is probably my favorite horror movie of all time.  I have been waiting for a trailer for this newest instalment, and finally found it while browsing one of my favorite horror websites, Shock Till You Drop.
Here is the plot synopsis for the new film TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D, courtesy of the Shock Till You Drop website:

  Directed by John Luessenhop and starring Alexandra Daddario, Tania Raymonde, Trey Songz, Gunnar Hansen and many more, the horror project continues the legendary story of the homicidal Sawyer family, picking up where Tobe Hooper’s 1974 horror classic left off in Newt, Texas, where for decades people went missing without a trace. The townspeople long suspected the Sawyer family, owners of a local barbeque pit, were somehow responsible. Their suspicions were finally confirmed one hot summer day when a young woman escaped the Sawyer house following the brutal murders of her four friends. Word around the small town quickly spread, and a vigilante mob of enraged locals surrounded the Sawyer stronghold, burning it to the ground and killing every last member of the family – or so they thought.

Decades later and hundreds of miles away from the original massacre, a young woman named Heather learns that she has inherited a Texas estate from a grandmother she never knew she had. After embarking on a road trip with friends to uncover her roots, she finds she is the sole owner of a lavish, isolated Victorian mansion. But her newfound wealth comes at a price as she stumbles upon a horror that awaits her in the mansion’s dank cellars…     TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D is scheduled to hit theaters on January 4th, 2013.

CLICK HERE to watch the  trailer

Chucky is back!! THE CURSE OF CHUCKY is in production!

 I am still playing catch-up on all the horror news I missed while I was in Costa Rica for a couple of weeks, and one of the coolest things I have found was the announcement that a new CHILD'S PLAY/CHUCKY movie is being made!   That's right, THE CURSE OF CHUCKY has begun production!  Chucky is, of course, the killer Good Guy doll we first met back in 1988 with the release of CHILD'S PLAY.   The movie was a pretty big success and went on to spawn the sequels CHILDS'S PLAY 2, CHILD'S PLAY 3, BRIDE OF CHUCKY, and SEED OF CHUCKY.   I found out about this new film while browsing one of my favorite Horror sites, Dread Central. Here is the basic plot synopsis of THE CURSE OF CHUCKY  (or just CURSE OF CHUCKY as I have seen it on some listings), courtesy of the DreadCentral.com:

Nica (Fiona Dourif) is grieving over the gruesome suicide of her mother when her domineering older sister, Barb (Danielle Bisutti), arrives with her young family in tow to help settle their mother’s affairs. As the sisters butt heads over Nica’s plans for the future, Barb’s young daughter comforts herself with a grinning, red-haired talking doll named Chucky (voiced again by Brad Dourif) that recently arrived mysteriously in the mail. But as a string of brutal murders begins to terrorize the household, Nica suspects the doll may hold the key to the bloodshed. What she doesn’t know is that Chucky has a personal score to settle. He’s determined to finish a job he started more than 20 years earlier, and this time he’s going to see it through to the bloody and shocking end.

THE CURSE OF CHUCKY is filming now, and should be released sometime next year.  The film is begin directed by series creator, Don Mancini  (who also directed the last Chucky movie, SEED OF CHUCKY).  I will definitely be checking this one out, as I am a huge fan of the Chucky movies.  What about you?  Are you excited about this new project, or do you think Chucky has overstayed his welcome?  Let me know with a comment what you think about this!

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, September 11th, 2012

  










Here are this week's horror/exploitation related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 9/11:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  BEYOND THE BLACK RAINBOW
*  THE BLACK HOUSE
*  BORN UNDEAD  [Blu-ray]
*  CHILLERS
*  THE DAY THE DEAD WALKED  [Blu-ray]
*  DEAD SOON
*  THE DEVIL INSIDE  [Blu-ray]
*  ENTRANCE
*  HAMMER HOUSE OF HORRORS:  THE COMPLETE SERIES
*  JEEPERS CREEPERS  [Blu-ray]
*  KILLER CLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE  [Blu-ray]
*  LAST BREATH
*  THE LOVED ONES
*  PARANORMAL ACTIVITY TRILOGY  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  PSYCHOTICA  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  RED EYE
*  ROSEWOOD LANE  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  SCARY OR DIE
*  THE SUICIDE SONG
*  THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2
*  THE VAMPIRE DIARIES:  THE COMPLETE 3RD SEASON [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  VILE
*  WHERE EVIL LIES
*  WITCHES, DEMONS, & MUTANTS - OH THE HORROR!

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD LIVE...coming to a stage near you!

 All of the sudden, a swarm of live stage shows are being created based on old, classic horror movies.  Most notable of late has been EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL, but there have also been live stage shows based on THE TOXIC AVENGER, RE-ANIMATOR, and THE EXORCIST.  Well, we can now add NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD to the list of movies getting their own stage show!
 Nictophobia Films is bringing George Romero's classic 1968 film to life  (or is it un-dead?) and to a stage starting in Canada and then touring throughout the United States.  The play is directed by Christopher Bond, the co-creator and co-director of the aforementioned EVIL DEAD:  THE MUSICAL.  Here is some info about the show from the official website, www.nightofthelivingdeadlive.com:

  "Nictophobia Films is bringing this cinematic masterpiece to the stage like you have never seen before.  Just like the film, the stage production will be done entirely in black and white, from the set design right to the actors.  The performance will also be interactive as live zombies walk through the aisles, making their way to the stage keeping the audience literally on the edge of their seats."

 This sounds like a lot of fun!  I would love to see this.  Right now, Nictophobia Films is in the process of raising money in order to take the show on a road tour.  They have an indiegogo campaign going on right now, with 52 days left at the time of this writing.  They are trying to raise $50,000 make this play happen.  If you can give anything, please do.  You can see a list of perks you will get with every donation level.  

  I hope this campaign is successful, I would love to see this stage play someday here in the U.S.!


CLICK HERE to visit the NOTLD LIVE indiegogo campaign site, where you can watch a video about this cool new stage show and donate.

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of NOTLD LIVE

DVD Review: 2-HEADED SHARK ATTACK (2012)

  
2-HEADED SHARK ATTACK
Directed by Christopher Ray
Distributed by The Asylum

 I have been impressed with the latest few films from The Asylum lately, and continue to be so with the release of 2-HEADED SHARK ATTACK!  Ok, I know what you are thinking...really?  Yes, really. I happen to love that title....probably because I love B-movies and this is an instant modern day B-movie.  Here is the very basic plot from The Asylum's website:

When a college educational ship is sunk by a mutated two-headed shark, the survivors escape to a deserted atoll. But when it starts flooding, the coeds are no longer safe from the double jaws of the monster.

  I might have to throw this into the category of so-bad-its-good....but either way, I can't help but admit that I enjoyed this film.  The film stars Carmen Electra, Charlie O'Connell  (Jerry O'Connell's brother) and Brooke Hogan  (Hulk Hogan's daughter).  I have to admit that the acting is not very good overall, but we know the real star of the show here is the shark, or actually the 2-headed shark!
Although, I do have to say that Brooke Hogan was actually not too bad as an actress, she did much better than I was expecting.

 As for the shark, well he (or she?) did a great job!  I was actually surprised with the shark effects, as many were practical effects which looked really good.   Now there were plenty of CG shark effects, and they look about as you would expect if you've seen any of the other Asylum or Scy-fy channel's crazy shark films.  They aren't awful, but they definitely look fake.  The practical effects  used with the shark actually looked really good and very realistic.  There is plenty of shark action in this film, and tons of great kills. 

 This is a fun movie that doesn't take itself seriously (with a title like that, how could it?), so you shouldn't take this one too seriously either.  Don't go in expecting the next JAWS...just expect to have fun and I think you will with this film. 

2-HEADED SHARK ATTACK is available now on DVD and contains the following special features:

*  The Making Of 2-Headed Shark Attack
*  Bloopers

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

 

I'm Back!! Expect new posts starting today!

  
 Thank you everyone for your patience while I was out the last couple of weeks.  I had a great time on vacation in beautiful Costa Rica!    I am back now, though, so expect regular posts again as normal from today on! 

 As a thank you for your patience, I will be doing a new giveaway within the next few days, so stay tuned for that.  BUT, have I got a deal for you!  Over at my buddy Scot Baker's blog, SHATTERED RAVINGS, you can enter a giveaway going on right now!  Scott is giving away a set of 2 Sci-Fi hardcover books, called Heaven’s Shadow & Heaven’s War by David S. Goyer and Michael Cassutt.   

 If you’re not familiar with either book, here is a plot synopsis of each courtesy of the Penguin Group USA website:

Heaven’s Shadow
Three years ago, an object one hundred miles across was spotted on a trajectory for Earth’s sun. Now, its journey is almost over. As it approaches, two competing manned vehicles race through almost half a million kilometers of space to reach it first. But when they both arrive on the entity, they learn that it has been sent toward Earth for a reason. An intelligent race is desperately attempting to communicate with our primitive species. And the message is: Help us.

Heaven’s War
When it first appeared, the astronomers named the asteroid Keanu. A Near Earth Object, from a distant constellation, it was headed directly toward our sun. But when we went to meet it, it turned out to be far more than a huge rock hurtling through space… The two teams of astronauts sent to explore Keanu discovered it is, in fact, a spacecraft, a giant ship with an alien crew. A ship that had headed to Earth with a mission and a message: Help Us. A brave new frontier beckons. But we are about to learn that it comes with a price… Without warning, the aliens transport small groups of humans from the competing scientific communities of Houston, Texas and Bangalore, India to the vast interior habitats of Keanu. Their first challenge is to survive. Their second; to discover why The Architects—the unknown, unseen aliens controlling the asteroid—brought them there. And soon a third emerges: they must find a way to take control of Keanu. Because the NEO is moving again—away from Earth. The Architects are headed home…


The contest over at SHATTERED RAVINGS ends on Sept. 22nd, 2012 at midnight (central time).
Hurry and enter soon!

CLICK HERE to visit the link to learn how you can win this set of awesome books!!

HAYES HUDSON'S HOUSE OF HORROR is taking a couple of weeks off.....

    

 My wife and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary this year.  To celebrate, we are taking a trip to beautiful Costa Rica to hike the rain forest and chill on the beach!  We will be gone for about 2 weeks. It will be hard to leave the kids here at the house, but their Grannie will be here staying with them so they will be in good hands.  This will be the longest we have been away from the boys since they were born 6 years ago.  That is the only part of the trip I am not looking forward to. Other than that, I am expecting to have a wonderful, exciting trip!

  Until my return, here is a list of some of my favorite horror blogs.  I check these pretty much daily, so these will tide you over until I get back.   If you have a favorite horror blog that you like, leave a comment below with a link so others may check out that site, and I will check them out when I get back! 

80'S HORROR MOVIES
BRUTAL AS HELL
DAY OF THE WOMAN
DOLLAR BIN HORROR
DR. TERROR'S BLOG OF HORRORS
EVIL DEAD NEWS
FREDDY IN SPACE
SHATTERED RAVINGS
ZOMBIES DON'T RUN

Thanks everyone! See you in September!

Check out the trailer for THE TALL MAN

 
  There are a lot of good horror movies coming out over the next few months, and this one is one that I will be checking out for sure.   THE TALL MAN stars Jessica Biel as Julia Denning, a woman who's child goes missing.  Apparently there is a legend in the town she lives of a "Tall Man" that abducts kids.  It looks from this trailer that when the child of Julia goes missing, she isn't going to take it sitting down.  She goes on a hunt for her child and the Tall Man.   I can't think of anything scarier than having a child abducted.  This film should scare us on many levels.   Check out the trailer and let me know what you think!

  THE TALL MAN is scheduled for theatrical release on September 5th.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

Blu-ray Review: STEVE NILES' REMAINS (2011)

STEVE NILES' REMAINS
Directed by  Colin Theys
Written by  Steve Niles
Distributed by  Shout! Factory

 For those unfamiliar with Steve Niles, he is one the best comic book writers working today.  He is best known for his 30 DAYS OF NIGHT graphic novel, and his follow-up series, DARK DAYS, both of which have been turned into full length feature films.   Steve Niles is who got me into horror comics, after a buddy of mine gave me a copy of the 30 DAYS OF NIGHT graphic novel.  From then I was hooked on horror comics, and specifically searched for any comics by Steve Niles.   While he was best known for his vampire stories, he also had a couple of great zombie series. My favorite two were WAKE THE DEAD and a series called REMAINS.   I always thought that both of these would make great zombie films.   Apparently others thought so as well, because both of these series have been turned into films.  WAKE THE DEAD has not been released yet, but just released this month on DVD & Blu-ray was STEVE NILES' REMAINS.  Here is the basic plot from the Shout! Factory website:

  Based on the IDW Publishing graphic novel written by Steve Niles (30 Days Of Night), Remains is set in a chilling postapocalyptic Reno, Nevada, and follows the survivors of a bizarre accident that reduced most of the world's population to zombies. The group takes refuge in a vacant casino and fights a losing battle against the undead, who grow steadily stronger, smarter and more aggressive by the minute.

  Zombie films are a dime a dozen these days, but if they are done right, they are always fun to watch.  STEVE NILES' REMAINS is done right.   There is plenty of zombie action throughout the film.  That is one thing that some zombie films fall short on.  You have to have plenty of zombies throughout the film to be good.  I know that sounds like a "no-brainer"  (pun intended), but it seems like in some zombie films you only get a few zombies.  This is mainly in the lower budget films and I know it is to cut down on costs, but you don't have to worry about that with this film.  Not only are there lots of zombies, they are all done extremely well and look very creepy.

  The acting is a little weak in the film, but you can look past that and just enjoy the zombie action.  It's been years since I read the REMAINS comics, but it was neat to see some iconic images in the film that I remembered from the comics.  The image of the diner/waitress zombie comes to mind...along with the survivors moving from building to building  over the streets using a wooden plank put between the two windows of the buildings. 

  If you read the comics, you will certainly enjoy this film.  I suspect you will like it even if you didn't read the comics...in fact, you might even like it more because all these things will be brand new to you.   Either way, check this one out.  

STEVE NILES' REMAINS is available now on DVD & Blu-ray and contains the following Special Features:

*  Audio Commentary
*  Short Film: Remains:  Road to Reno, the prequel
*  Bloopers
*  TV Spots
*  Trailer
*  Comic-Con Teaser


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

Blu-ray Review: PIRANHA 3DD (2012)

  
PIRANHA 3DD
Directed by  John Gulager
Distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment

  I heard nothing but bad things about this film after it was released.  I never got a chance to see it, as it never came to a theater around me.  I loved the first PIRANHA 3D (2010), it was a lot of fun and the 3D in the theater was great, so I was really looking forward to this film.   After hearing so many negative things about this film, I never bothered with it when it came "on-demand".   But....as much as I liked the first one, I knew I would eventually watch it, and I am actually glad I did.   Now don't get me wrong, the movie is not great by any means, but it was fun and kept me entertained, even if part of the entertainment was laughing at how dumb some of the parts were.   I know that is a weird mix of a good review and bad review, but that is how I felt about the film.  Confused yet?  Well before I go any further, here is the plot of the film from the Anchor Bay website:

Prepare for double the action, double the terror and double the D’s. The prehistoric school of bloodthirsty piranhas are back and this time, no one is safe from the flesh-eating fish as they sink their razor sharp teeth into the visitors of summer’s best attraction, The Big Wet Water Park.

  Ok, so the film isn't close to being as good as the 2010 predecessor, but it is still a fun film overall.  The acting is pretty bad for the most part, and the story line is a little silly.  The idea of a piranhas invading a water park sounded like it could have been a great concept if done right. 

  Like PIRANHA 3D, the film started off with the appearance and then quick killing off of a major star.  In the first one we got Richard Dryfuss.  In this one, we get Gary Busey.  I guess that should have told me something from the beginning!  Christopher Lloyd reprises his mad-scientist type role which was pretty funny, but I wish he would have been in more than just a couple of scenes. Ving Rhames reprises his role as well, although it is just one scene's worth and is a more comedic scene than the first film.  Truthfully, it was a comedic scene that was ok, but just didn't really work for me.
One high point was David Koechner as Chet, the owner of the water park.  David Koechner is one of my favorite character actors.  He steals pretty much any scene he is in no mater what film or TV show he is on.  I love that guy.   Oh, and I can't leave out David Hasselhoff!  His scenes are actually pretty funny and probably the highlight of the film.  Yes, I just said David Hasselhoff was the highlight of a film.   That might say a lot about the film right there!  Ha!!

  So, the film is not great by any means, but it has it's moments and like I said, it kept me entertained.  I have a feeling that since I had heard how bad it was, my expectations for it were extremely low, so that probably helped.  If you liked the first one, give this one a shot.

PIRANHA 3DD will be released on September 4th on DVD and a 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack.

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

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

Here are this week's horror/exploitation related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 8/21:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  ATTACK OF THE KILLER BACKPACKS
*  BLACK MAGIC RITES  [Blu-ray]
*  BLOODY EVIL:  INTERNATIONAL COLLECTION  (This Hollow Sacrament / Frankenstein's Bloody Nightmare / Ichi-1 / Evil Dead Trap 2)
*  DEADLY RENOVATIONS
*  HALLOWEEN 4 [Blu-ray]
*  HALLOWEEN 5 [Blu-ray]
*  HELL 
*  PSYCHOS IN THE WOODS:  A KILLING FRENZY UNLEASHED
*  REVISION:  APOCALYPSE II:  THE EDWIN BRIENEN COLLECTION
*  THE SCAR CROW
*  STEPHEN KING'S THINNER  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  WALKING DEAD ORIGINS:  THE ZOMBIE MOVIE COLLECTION
*  ZOMBIE A-HOLE

Blu-ray Review: TOTAL RECALL (1990)

 
 
TOTAL RECALL
Directed by Paul Verhoeven
Distributed by Lionsgate Entertainment

  I now it's not officially a Horror film, ok it's not anywhere near a Horror film, but TOTAL RECALL is one of my favorite Science Fiction films of all time, and like most Science-Fiction films, they seem to all contain one, if not more, horror elements to them.  I would think most Science-Fiction fans would have seen this movie by now, or at least know about it, but for those that don't, here is the description of the new Blu-ray version courtesy of the Lionsgate website:
 
Experience TOTAL RECALL the way it was meant to be seen with a pristine Director approved 1080P HD transfer! Action star extraordinaire Arnold Schwarzenegger is perfectly cast as Quaid, a 2084 construction worker haunted by dreams of Mars in this crowd-pleasing science fiction spectacle. Against the wishes of his sexy blonde wife (Sharon Stone), Quaid goes to Rekall, a company that implants artificial memories, so he can "remember" visiting the red planet that is now being settled by human inhabitants. However, Quaid is actually a secret agent from Mars – of is he?
 
  As I mentioned, I'm sure most people have already seen this film, so I don't think a typical "movie review" of this film is needed.  Basically it boils down to this...if you haven't seen it, do so asap.  Now I will admit the movie has aged a bit since it's original release in 1990, but the effects still hold up well enough to be entertaining and the alien woman with 3 breasts is still as hot (and disturbing) as ever!  Ha! 

  This new Blu-ray version is the way to go for sure when watching TOTAL RECALL.  The 1080P High Definition picture looks amazing.  One of the special features included on the Blu-ray is a Restoration Comparison which is very interesting.  It's amazing the difference this film is in HD. 

  The TOTAL RECALL "Mind-Bending Edition" Blu-ray was just released on July 31st so is available now.  This is one film you will definitely want to upgrade to Blu-ray if you have the DVD version already.  The new Blu-ray contains the following Special Features:

*  Audio Commentary with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Director Paul Verhoeven
*  Interview with Director Paul Verhoeven
*  Making-of Featurette
*  "Models and Skeletons:  The Special Effects of Total Recall"
*  "Imagining Total Recall" Documentary
*  Restoration Comparison
*  Trailer
*  Photo Gallery

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

Check out the ultra gory and violent trailer for the new splatter flick, ADAM CHAPLIN

 I have no clue how I came across the trailer for this one, but I found this on YouTube and it looks quite amazing!  The film is called ADAM CHAPLIN and was written and directed by Emanuele De Santi.  Imdb lists this as his first writing and directing credit, so this is apparently his first film.  It looks like Mr. De Santi is really starting his career out with a bang!! Here is the basic plot of ADAM CHAPLIN from the film's imdb page:

Set in the fictional country of Heaven Valley, the film is the story of a man, Adam, who following the suspicious death of his wife begins to investigate her murder and in doing so, discovers the involvement of local mafia boss: Denny Richards.

Unable to trust the police, corrupt and controlled by Denny, Adam, consumed by anger, summons a demon who offers him superhuman strength and dark powers. The demon follows him during his trip, promising to lead Adam to the door of the murderer if he does everything the demon asks.

This unleashes a bloody war that will bring Adam, the demon on his side, against the police department with all its dark allies. The fight begins and it will be extreme!

 ADAM CHAPLIN is available now on DVD from Necrostorm Production by clicking the "buy" link below.

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

Check out the cool trailer for the upcoming film, SINISTER

   


 








  If you haven't seen the trailer for the film SINISTER yet, do yourself a favor and check it out now!!
The movie stars Ethan Hawke and is directed by Scott Derrickson, who also directed THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE.  Here is the plot of the film from the movie'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 who discovers a box of mysterious, disturbing home movies that plunge his family into a nightmarish experience of supernatural horror.
 
  The film opens nationwide October 5th.  This is one I will be checking out for sure.  Watch the trailer and leave a comment and let me know what you think!

 
CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

DVD Review: MIDNIGHT SON (2011)

 
MIDNIGHT SON
Written & Directed by Scott Leberecht
Distributed by Image Entertainment
  
 I have a feeling there are a lot of people out there who have probably never heard of MIDNIGHT SON.  Hopefully that will change as the word spreads about how good this film is.   The cover describes this film as "A terrifying love story", and that couldn't be more true.  Don't let that "love story" part scare you away, this is no TWILIGHT type love story....not by a long shot.   For those unfamiliar with this film, here is the basic plot from the Image Entertainment website:
 
  MIDNIGHT SON is the story of Jacob, a young man confined to a life of isolation, due to a rare skin disorder that prevents him from being exposed to sunlight. His world opens up when he meets Mary, a local bartender, and falls in love. Tragically, Jacob's actions become increasingly bizarre as he struggles to cope with the effects of his worsening condition. Forced by the disease to drink human blood for sustenance, he must control his increasingly violent tendencies as local law enforcement narrow their focus on him as a suspect in a series of grisly murders.
 
 I have admitted on many occasions that I have never been a big vampire fan...zombie are more my thing.   I have seen a few movies over the past few years that are making me rethink that, most recently the films LET THE RIGHT ONE IN and the American remake, LET ME IN.  You can now add MIDNIGHT SON to that list of films that is slowly turning me into a vampire fan.
 
 I actually did a post about this film back in November of 2010.  I posted the trailer and said how good this film looks like it was going to be.  Unlike a lot of films that don't live up to their great trailers, MIDNIGHT SON was even better than the trailer made it look.  I was blown away by this film. I expected it to be good based on the awesome trailer, but was not expecting to be as good as it was.
   
 Everything about this film was great.  The acting was superb, without a weak player in the group.   The gore effects were very well done and plentiful, which is always a good thing.   The film was paced perfectly without there ever being a dry spell or long drawn out scene.   I haven't been so pleasantly surprised by a movie in a long time.  This is one you will want to check out for sure. Whether you are a fan of vampire films or not, I think most all horror fans will enjoy this one. 
 
  MIDNIGHT SON is available now on DVD and contains the following special features:
 
*  Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Scott Leberecht and Stars Zak Kilberg, Maya Parish, and Jo D. Jonz
*  Deleted Scenes
*  Interviews with Cast & Crew
*  Trailer
 
 
CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
   

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, August 14th, 2012

   






Here are this week's horror/exploitation related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 8/14:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)
 
*  FATHER'S DAY [4-disc limited ed. DVD/Blu-ray set]
*  GROUND ZERO
*  JUAN OF THE DEAD
*  KILL LIST  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A PORNO GANG [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE PORTAL
*  THE SNOWTOWN MURDERS
*  ZOMBIE HORROR FRIGHT FEST

Check out the hilarious Red Band trailer for the new zom-com, COCKNEYS VS. ZOMBIES

   

   
  If you are a fan of SHAUN OF THE DEAD, you will definitely want to give this film a look.  The film is COCKNEYS VS. ZOMBIES and it is another U.K. zombie/comedy film.  The film is about zombies taking over London and a group of survivors holding off the zombies from taking over an old folks home.   It looks like these old folks can fight for themselves, though!  Note the awesome Walker vs. Walker scene!  Ha!  Good stuff!  Thanks to my buddy Caleb for letting me know about this one!
  This film comes out in August in the U.K.....I have not seen any mention of a U.S. release, but as good as this trailer looks, I expect a U.S. distributor to pick this one up pretty quick!

CLICK HERE to watch the Red Band Trailer

Check out the trailer for RAPE ZOMBIE: LUST OF THE DEAD

 With a name like that, it has to be good..right?  RAPE ZOMBIE:  LUST OF THE DEAD is a new crazy zombie film from Japanese director Naoyuki Tomomatsu.  There have been some crazy zombie movies to come out of Japan lately, and this looks like it will be a great addition to that genre.   Thanks to my buddy Scott over at the Shattered Ravings blog for pointing this one out to me!  Check out the trailer and enjoy!

 
CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

DVD Review: GRIM (2010)

   
GRIM
Written and Directed by Adrian Santiago
Distributed by Troma Entertainment and CAV Distribution
 
 You never know what you are going to get with a Troma film. Troma has lots of fans and a cult following for sure, and the movies they actually make are usually always lots of fun. But it's these 3rd party type films that you just never know about.  These are the films that Troma just buys the rights to distribute.  Some can be pretty bad, but every now and then you run into one that is really good.  I am happy to report that GRIM falls into the latter category.  In fact this is one of the better of the Troma distributed films I think I have seen.   For those unfamilar with this film, here is the basic plot from the film's imdb.com page:

  After unsuccessful attempts to revive our ailing economy, the US is forced to cut funding to rural, low-population areas of the nation leaving millions to "fend for themselves". Amid ongoing territorial disputes, Nicholas Grim is forced to witness the brutal murder of his parents by Armed Militant Forces in Texas. Now an adult, Grim vows to avenge his family and uncover their killer's motives.

  I had never heard of this film before receiving this one for review, and I am pretty surprised by that.  I really and surprised that more people within the horror community aren't talking about this one.   The film starts off with a bang and never really lets up.  

  The film starts with the kidnapping of a family.  The young boy in the family, Nicholas Grim, is forced to watch the brutal beatings and then eventual killings of both his Mother and Father.  I have to admit, this scene was hard to watch. It was acted well, and the sheer brutality of the kidnappers and total disregard for the parents lives was chilling.  They even knocked little Nicholas out and left him for dead, although a man who heard the gunshots came and found him and took him home.

  Cut to some years later, and little Nicholas Grim is all grown up and has been  living with the man and woman that found Nicholas all those years ago.  His adoptive parents finally sit him down and explain to him who the kidnappers were all those years ago  (Nicholas had supplied the names when he was little, but the man thought he was too young to have everything explained to him at that time).
The killers were a group called the U.A.B.  (United American Brigade), and they were still around and causing trouble.  When this group meets up with Nicholas' adoptive family and kills them, then he has had enough.  He snaps into a fit of rage and vows revenge against the killers that have taken two sets of parents away from him.

  Grim really turns up the heat, starting by torturing a member of the U.A.B. that comes to his house by tying the man up and making him give the name of the U.A.B. leader.  The man doesn't want to give up the name, but when Grim starts pulling out his fingernails with a pair of pliers, he eventually gives in and gives Grim the name he looking for.  This scene is another that is very hard to watch...the pulling out of the fingernails effect was done very well and will make you cringe in agony!
  
 The movie goes into a more deeper plot as Grim joins a group that is against the U.A.B. and battles them to the death!  GRIM was done very well.  There was no CGI effects that I noticed, every gore effect was a practical effect. I have no clue what the budget was like on this film, but it pretty obvious it was very low budget film.  GRIM is proof that you can make a great low budget film if you have a good story, good actors, and a good director in charge.   Now, don't get me wrong, I am not saying that the acting in this movie is great on all accounts, but over all it was well done.

 I would recommend this film to most any horror fan. It is not typical of a Troma film, this one is a lot more darker shocking than most of the films they distribute.  The before mentioned shocking opening scene still comes to mind.

 GRIM is available now on DVD and contains the following Special Features:

*  Commentary track by director Adrian Santiago
*  "The Art of Dismemberment" - A behind-the-scenes slideshow
*  Introduction by Lloyd Kaufman


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

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, August 7th, 2012

Here are this week's horror/exploitation related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 8/7:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  THE BOOGENS  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  DEVIL SEED
*  GRIMM:  SEASON1 [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  KNOCK KNOCK 2
*  LADDA LAND
*  MR. HUSH  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  STEVE NILES' REMAINS  [DVD & Blu-ray]

Do you know the story of The Dibbuk Box?

A lot of you have probably seen the trailer for the new film coming out called, THE POSSESSION.  The movie is being produced by Sam Raimi's Ghosthouse Pictures, and looks to be an amazing film.   What is even more amazing, is that the film is based on actual events and an  actual "haunted" box called The Dibbuk Box  (Dibbuk is a Jewish term for a restless spirit or demon).  A lot of movies say "Based on a True Story", but this one actually is and has years of history behind it.  Clark Collis from Entertainment Weekly Magazine did a wonderful write up of the new film and some of the history behind The Dibbuk Box  (see issue# 1218, Aug. 3, 2012).   Apparently the box has brought nothing buy bad things to anyone who has owned the box.
 
  The box was listed on ebay a few years ago and the seller tells the entire story of the box on the ebay auction description.  Check out the great Entertainment Weekly article or read the ebay auction page to learn about this cursed box.  There are some amazing things that have happened to those in ownership of the box, which makes me wonder why so many people actually placed bids on this item when it was up for sale. 


 
CLICK HERE to watch the trailer for THE POSSESSION
CLICK HERE to see the Ebay auction of The Dibbuk Box and read the story of it

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of The Dibbuk Box

DVD Review: DEAD SEASON (2012)

 
DEAD SEASON
Directed by Adam Deyoe
Distributed by Image Entertainment

Zombie films are a dime a dozen these days, seems like every week a new zombie film is coming out and while most are mediocre at best, every now and then a really good one comes along.  I am happy to report that DEAD SEASON is a fun, entertaining zombie film that is worth a watch.  Here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the Image Entertainment website:

When a worldwide viral outbreak leads to a plague of zombies scouring the earth for the living, two survivors flee the chaos of America to a remote island, hoping for a chance to start a new life. What they find is unrelenting horror. Beyond the hordes of the flesh-hungry undead, the other people already on the island force the pair into a fight-or-die battle amongst themselves. Armed only with crude weapons, they must descend to savagery and cutthroat tactics just to make it through each day. Packed with cutting-edge action and outrageous gore, DEAD SEASON is a riveting new spin on the zombie genre!

Originality can be hard to find in zombie movies, but DEAD SEASON manages to find it.  Actor James C. Burns plays the main leader on the island and he pretty much decides who stays and who goes, based on what skills he thinks that person can bring to their group.  He even goes as far as to making the choice not to help one of the groups injured, but instead orders our main character to chop him up and use him as food for the group.   You don't see that in very many zombie movies these days!

The acting is great, and the zombie effects and gore are superb!  There is  some great zombie gore on display, some of which reminded me of some of the great Romero films like DAWN OF THE DEAD and DAY OF THE DEAD. 

DEAD SEASON is out now on DVD and contains the following Special Features:

*  Filmmaker Commentary
*  The Making of DEAD SEASON
*  Deleted Scenes
*  Outtakes
*  Trailer
 
CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.....

While my LASEK surgery didn't go quite as bad as Olivia's  (see a few posts back), the healing process has been slow.  What has made it worse was that I had to return to work this past Wednesday, which consists of me staring at a computer all day long.  Needless to say, when I got home, I rested with me eyes closed and didn't go back near a computer!   After working all day, my eyes kinda feel like that girl from the wood splinter scene from Lucio Fulci's infamous film, ZOMBIE.   Haven't seen that? Well, first off...shame on you.  Secondly, here it is for your viewing pleasure. 
 

 
Posts will be sporadic while my eyes heal so bear with me....I will be back to daily postings in a week or two for sure hopefully!

Thanks everyone!!

Zombie Hayes