Sorry, for the lack of posts this week.....oh, and PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 is a huge letdown....

  Halloween week is obviously a busy week around the Zombie Hayes household, so I apologize for the lack of posts lately.  I have been very busy most nights this week with various Halloween related activities.  Regular posting will resume shortly, I promise. 

 I didn't do a blog post last night because I got a chance to go see PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4.  I have enjoyed the all the PARANORMAL ACTIVITY films, but I was a little let down with Part 3 and was hoping this new film would redeem the franchise for me, but unfortunately it was worst than part 3 to me.  PA4 had it's moments, including a few jump scares we have all come to love from these films, but when part 4 used a cat jumping in in front of the camera not once, but twice, I knew they had run out of ideas.  A cat jumping into a scene is the oldest jump scare in the book, used in countless numbers of horror films.  I expect better from the PA franchise.

  Oh well.  If you have seen the film, let me know what your thoughts on it are. Is it just me, or was this the weakest of the PA films by far.   Oh, and don't even get me started on the ending!!!

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, October 30th, 2012

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 10/30:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)
   
*  666:  THE RITUAL
*  ROSEMARY'S BABY (The Criterion Collection) [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  SICK BOY

Have you seen NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD 3D: RE-ANIMATION ?

  Has anyone seen this film?  NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD 3D:  RE-ANIMATION just came out about 2 weeks ago on DVD.  I had seen the first trailer, but just saw the second trailer for the film tonight.  The second trailer actually shows footage with star Jeffrey Combs  (of RE-ANIMATOR fame) and the film looks like it could be pretty good...let me know if you have seen this film.  I would like to hear some thoughts on it before tracking it down to watch for myself.   I love a good zombie film, and have always been a fan of Combs, so hopefully this will be one worth watching.  Leave a comment if you have seen the film and let me know what you think.  

 
CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to watch the second trailer

Watch the new EVIL DEAD Red Band trailer!

 Just last week I posted the leaked trailer for the EVIL DEAD remake that was shown at the New York Comic Con.  It was recorded by someone in the theater, so the quality was not good. 

 Well, the trailer has been officially released, so now we can watch this better quality version of the trailer.  It's the same trailer, but a clearer version and let's face it...this trailer is good enough to watch again and again.  I can't tell you how excited I am to see this film!  I think this will be a cool experience to witness an EVIL DEAD film in the theater, something I have never got to do.  I know some people are worried that this film is going to not be any good, but I don't see how that is possible by the looks of this trailer.  Also, the film is produced by Bruce Campbell, Sam Raimi, and Robert G. Tapert  (the creators of the original film), so I have faith that these guys will not let an inferior product hit the theaters.

 The EVIL DEAD remake has a set release date of April 12, 2013.


CLICK HERE to watch the Red Band Trailer

Blu-ray Review: WRONG TURN 5: BLOODLINES (2012)

  
WRONG TURN 5:  BLOODLINES
Directed by  Declan O'Brien
Distributed by  Fox Home Entertainment

 I have to start by admitting I have never seen any of the WRONG TURN sequels.  I saw the first WRONG TURN and absolutely loved it!  I thought it was a fun premise and had some great effects in terms of the kills.  I always meant to watch WRONG TURN 2, but just never got around to it yet.  Then, part 3 came out,  and before I knew it, there was a part 4, and now we have WRONG TURN 5:  BLOODLINES!   The good news is you do not have to see the other films to enjoy this one.  I think these films are starting to be like the FINAL DESTINATION films, where there ares some basic key elements that continue from film to film, but basically each film is a stand-alone film.
Here is the basic plot of WRONG TURN 5 from the film's imdb page:

 A small West Virginia town is hosting the legendary Mountain Man Festival on Halloween, where throngs of costumed party goers gather for a wild night of music and mischief. But an inbred family of hillbilly cannibals kill the fun when they trick and treat themselves to a group of visiting college students.

 

 This was a very fun film and is worthy of your time (and $$).  While the gore is great (and I will discuss that more in a bit), the highlight of this film for me was the presence of veteran horror actor Doug Bradley.  You know him best as Pinhead from the HELLRAISER films.  That is really all I had ever seen him in, but hopefully he will do more stuff now that he is done playing the Pinhead character.   Bradley is a very good actor and was very fun to watch in this film.  He plays the lead villain, and is sort of the Father figure to the group of backwoods, inbred hillbillies that terrorize the group of visiting college kids. He has some great lines and delivers them wonderfully.  I couldn't help but smile when he referred to someone in the film as a "Pinhead"! Ha!

  The film almost plays out like one of the FINAL DESTINATION films, where the focus is on killing off each character in very bizarre and gruesome ways.   Like I mentioned before, the gore is incredible in this film and the kills are great, including a crazy scene involving a farm tractor...you see this eluded to in the trailer.

  WRONG TURN 5 was a lot of fun, and it makes me want to go back and check out all the other entries in this series.  The film is available now on DVD and Blu-ray and contains the following special features:

 *  A Day in the Death
 *  Hillbilly Kills
 *  Director's Die-aries
 *  Audio Commentary by Declan O'Brien

 

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

Check out the teaser trailer for the new CARRIE remake!

  
  I am a big fan of the original CARRIE (1976), based on the Stephen King novel of the same name.  The movie was remade in 1988 and again in 2002.  You would think that would be enough remakes of this film, but a 3rd remake is due out in 2013 starring Chloë Grace Moretz in the title role, and Julianne Moore as Carrie's Mom.   I have to admit I wasn't too excited about this film until I just saw the teaser trailer a few minutes ago.  I don't think what is shown is actual film footage, but just shot to make this promo teaser.  This teaser is pretty darn cool, though, and from the feel of this teaser, I think this is going to be a much darker version of CARRIE than we have seen before, something I didn't think was even possible. 
  Moretz looks great as Carrie and she has really turned into quite a good actress, so I am expecting big things from her.  Check out the teaser and let me know what you think!


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

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

 










Here are this week's horror/exploitation related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 10/23:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  247F  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  ABOLITION
*  ABRAHAM LINCOLN:  VAMPIRE HUNTER  [DVD/Blu-ray/3D Blu-ray]
*  BLOODY CHRISTMAS
*  BOOLEY
*  CARGO
*  CLAUSTROPHOBIA
*  DROPPING EVIL
*  FROM BENEATH
*  JACK IN THE BOX
*  MARK OF THE BEAST
*  OCTOMAN (40th Anniversary Edition)
*  THE PENALTY  [Blu-ray]
*  PUPPET MASTER X:  AXIS RISING  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE SELLING
*  SHATTER DEAD
*  SLICE
*  UNDER THE SCARES
*  WRONG TURN 5:  BLOODLINES  [DVD & Blu-ray]

DVD Review: ALL NIGHT HALLOWEEN PARTY (2012)

  
ALL NIGHT HALLOWEEN PARTY
Distributed by:  Apprehensive Films

Apprehensive Films has recently released a must have DVD for any fans of Halloween, and who of us horror fans is not a fan of Halloween?!   ALL NIGHT HALLOWEEN PARTY is a great DVD perfect to play at your upcoming Halloween Party, or really any time of the year in my opinion!
Here is a brief description of the DVD from the official press release:

The All Night Halloween Party is retro, spooky fun for the entire family. This compilation of old-school cartoons, stop-motion animations and vintage horror trailers creates the perfect ambiance for any Halloween party. Plus it's an ever-looping DVD so it doesn't stop until your party does! With so many unique short subjects, the All Night Halloween Party can be enjoyed over and over again. Some of the classic titles included are: Balloon Land, Cobweb Hotel, Wot a Night, Magic Mummy, Devil's Ball and many, many more! Get ready for a Halloween you won't soon forget!

  I love the fact that this DVD is an ever-looping DVD, meaning it will play over and over again on your DVD player until you manually stop it.  That makes it perfect  for putting on and playing at your Halloween party for some great background ambiance, although I bet it will begin to become the center of attention at the party as your guests start noticing it and watching it.   This doesn't just have to be for a party, though.  I watched it the other night by myself and enjoyed it thoroughly.  I love the old school animation  (cartoons on this DVD are from as far back as the 1930's!) and I also love the fact that they have put a trailer for a "classic" horror film between each cartoon.  I love movie trailers, especially for films of movies I have never seen, or in this case even heard of.  Along with trailers for films we all know like THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, there are trailers for films I knew nothing about, such as the King Kong rip off KONGA and the looks-so-bad-I-bet-it-is-amazing creature feature called REPTILICUS! 

  This DVD is a lot of fun.  I highly recommend this one. 

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD from TheGrindHouse.Net
  

Short film review: NIGHT OF THE PUNKS (2010)

   
NIGHT OF THE PUNKS
Directed by:   Dan Riesser
Written by: Dan Riesser and Mike Kinshella

 I recently got a press release about a short horror/comedy film called NIGHT OF THE PUNKS.  The film is currently available to watch for FREE on Youtube and on the film's official website! 
Here is the plot synopsis from the film's website:

Small town punk rockers THE BRAIN DEADS have their first out of town show, but there are a few problems: The venue is deserted, the promoter is a creep, their bassist has gone missing, and the only kids in the audience turn out to be bloodthirsty punk rockers from Hell. NOTP is a splatterpunk love letter to 1980's horror cinema, heavily influenced by films like Return of the Living Dead, The Evil Dead and Night of the Demons.

NIGHT OF THE PUNKS is a lot of fun.  The plot is simple and the film is shot very well.  The acting is superb by everyone involved and the demon and creature effects are very well done.  The film is shot in a style of film from the 80's, and it really has that feel to it.   The film also mixes the comedy and horror perfectly.  A lot of horror/comedy films are more comedy than anything, but NIGHT OF THE PUNKS balances it perfectly.   This is a great film and I look forward to future projects from Mr. Riesser and all the filmmakers involved with this production.

 The film is only about 20 minutes long, so check it out when you have a few minutes.  Director Dan Riesser says that a feature length version of the film is in the works!  I will pass on more details about that as they become available, or, keep checking the films official website for updates.
 
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website and watch the short film

Have you seen the trailer to the EVIL DEAD remake?

  If you haven't seen it yet, the trailer for the remake of EVIL DEAD has been leaked onto the internet.  The trailer was premiered at the New York Comic Con and I can't tell you how excited I am to see this movie.  The great folks over at JoBlo.com have posted the trailer on their website. At first, the trailer looks just so - so....like your typical teen horror film, but stay with it, as it gets crazy as it goes on.   
  This looks like a much darker, more true horror film than the original from what I can see from this trailer.   This should be an interesting take on the classic film we all know and love.  I personally can't wait to see this film.  Watch the trailer and let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

It's [almost] time for another giveaway!!

 Hello fright fans!!  I got a box of goodies just waiting to give out to some lucky contest winners!  I haven't done a contest in a while, so I am thinking I need to do one soon!  So, here's the deal...The 4H blog has 395 blog followers as of this posting. As soon as we get 400 followers, we will announce our next big giveaway!!  That's right, just 5 more followers of the 4H blog and it will be giveaway time!!  Tell your friends! 

DVD Review: ADAM CHAPLIN (2011)

 
ADAM CHAPLIN
Written & Directed by  Emanuele De Santi
Production Company:  Necrostorm Productions
Distributed by:  Autonomy Pictures

 
I'm not sure how I came across ADAM CHAPLIN, but I knew nothing about this film going into it and I really haven't heard much about this film.  This surprises me, because this is a film I would think more people would be talking about.  I see "cult classic" all over this film!
For those not familiar with the film, here is the plot from the film's official website:

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!

  A lot of films claim to be "The Most Bloody Movie Ever Made", as this film does on the cover of it's DVD, but this is one of the few that could actually take that title.  Saying the film is bloody is an understatement. This film is extremely bloody and violent, with crazy gore that has to be seen to be believed.  I guarantee you have not seen anything like this before.  Gore and violence that you would think could only be drawn on the pages of a graphic novel come to life on screen.  While I was watching it I remember thinking that it was as if I was watching a live action comic book. 

  Now I do have to admit, the plot was a little confusing and unclear at times, but you don't watch this movie for the story line.  This film is all about the violence and gore and it delivers that on many levels.  I kinda liken this film to Peter Jackson's BAD TASTE.  That film is not that great story wise, but that film is a fan fave among horror fans for the over the top effects.   ADAM CHAPLIN, to me, should be in this same category of film.  This is the film film for writer and director Emanuele De Santi according to his imdb.com page, so for this being a first film for a director, I would say Mr. De Santi has hit a home run in his first up to bat!   I can't imagine the great films that are in store for us if De Santi keeps on making horror films!

  Do yourself a favor and check out ADAM CHAPLIN, available now on DVD.   The DVD includes 5 great documentaries in the special features section including:

-Mechanism of Gore
-From Idea to Screen
-HABS
-Building Up Adam
-Scene Autopsy


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

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

Here are this week's horror/exploitation related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 10/16:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  2 YOUNG 2 DIE
*  AIRBORNE
*  AMICUS:  HOUSE OF HORROR
*  BACK FROM HELL
*  CHERNOBYL DIARIES  [DVD & DVD/Blu-ray combo pack]
*  DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE
*  EXCISION  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  EXORCISM  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  FEMALE VAMPIRE  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE FUNHOUSE  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  GREYSTONE PARK  [DVD & DVD/Blu-ray combo pack]
*  NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD:  RE-ANIMATION
*  PENNY DREADFUL:  THE SPECIAL EDITION
*  RITES OF PASSAGE  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  TERROR TRAIN [DVD/Blu-ray combo pack]
*  THE TORTURED

The wait is over!!!

 That's right....the premiere of THE WALKING DEAD Season 3 is finally here!!  Tonight at 8pm Central time on AMC.   Now I know I don't have to tell any of you that...if you are like me you have your calendars marked and have been waiting on this day for months!   But, it is still exciting news and I couldn't think of posting anything else that was better news than this.
  It is going to be hard to top last season, especially with the Sophia story line and reveal...but I know the makers of this show won't let us down, and from what I hear, the first episode tonight is filled with bloody zombie carnage as Rick and the gang try to take the prison for themselves.
  It should be a great night of zombie mayhem!! 

CLICK HERE to watch THE WALKING DEAD Season 3 trailer

If you are in Las Vegas, be sure to visit Eli Roth's GORETORIUM!

 
 
  For those of you in the Las Vegas area, or those planning a trip to Vegas anytime soon, you might want to do yourself a favor and head over to Eli Roth's GORETORIUM!  The Goretorium is a year round haunted house on the Vegas strip.  If there is one thing Eli Roth knows, it is horror and gore, and I suspect that the Goretorium will have plenty of both.   I can't imagine what this attraction will be like.  It is open now and I hope to make it out there someday.   Check out the website by clicking the link below or click the pick above.   The website is great with tons of great pics and videos about the Goretorium.
The website also has a section where you can watch a web cam of people going through the Goretorium, although at the time of this writing, the web cam was not working.  I will keep checking back to see if it back online, because I think that would be a very fun web cam to watch!
If you have been to the Goretorium, please leave a comment and let us know your thoughts on it!

CLICK HERE to visit Eli Roth's GORETORIUM website!

 

Obscure horror video games: ENGLISH OF THE DEAD (Nintedo DS)

  The Japanese are known for some of their crazy video games, but this one is a little too far fetched. In order to teach kids English, they took the HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2 game and changed it into a learning tool! They did this by taking away your gun and making you spell words to kill the zombies!! The game challenges players to correctly translate words into English from Japanese in order to kill the zombies. Other modes include zombies that speak English out loud, where players must translate what they're saying. 
  I'm not sure how well this worked, but it's pretty amusing to me. I assume this was only available overseas, as I doubt kids here in the U.S. would buy into this concept.  Click the link below to see some actual game play.

CLICK HERE to see the game in action  (fast-forward to about the 1:20 mark to start watching the actual game play)

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

Here are this week's horror/exploitation related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 10/9:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  THE BARRENS  [DVD & Blu-ray/DVD combo pack]
*  BASKET CASE 3:  THE PROGENY
*  BEDEVILLED  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  BLOODY BLOODY BIBLE CAMP
*  A CADAVER CHRISTMAS
*  CELLULOID BLOODBATH
*  HOSTEL/HOSTEL 2 (Blu-ray Double Feature)
*  PIRANHA MAN VS. WEREWOLF MAN
*  THE RAVEN  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  TRUTH OR DIE
*  WEREWOLF:  THE BEAST AMONG US  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE:  50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Just when I thought Japanese horror films couldn't get any crazier, along comes DEAD SUSHI!

 















  As you may know, I am a huge fan of Japanese horror films.  They makes some of the craziest films out there, and this one might just be the craziest of all.  DEAD SUSHI is the newest film from Japanese horror director, Noboru Iguchi.  Mr. Iguchi has directed some of my favorite foreign films, including THE MACHINE GIRL, ROBOGEISHA, and MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD.   DEAD SUSHI recently got picked up for U.S. distribution by Action Slate Releasing and Millennium Entertainment, (divisions of Birch Tree Entertainment) so I would expect a DVD and/or Blu-ray release sometime in the near future!  Here is the basic plot of the film from the Birch Tree Entertainment website:

The film, which stars 21-year-old martial arts prodigy Rina Takeda, tells the tale of Keiko, the daughter of a legendary sushi chef, who runs away from home when her father’s kung fu-like regimen becomes too severe. Finding work at a rural hot springs inn, she is ridiculed by the eccentric staff and guests, including the employees of a pharmaceutical firm there on a work vacation. But little do they know that a disgruntled former researcher has also come to the inn with a plan for revenge, using a serum he developed that can awaken the murderous instincts of ordinary sushi, turning it into bloodthirsty monsters! Keiko must use both her sushi training and her martial arts skills to save the others and defeat the flying killers.

As silly as this premise sounds, I think it will be a really fun film.  Definitely not one to take seriously on any level, but one to just watch and have fun with. 
 
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website and watch the trailer

Will you be seeing PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4?

 













  It's hard to believe that a small, low-budget film like 2007's PARANORMAL ACTIVITY could launch such a successful franchise, but here we are 5 years later and just around the corner is the release of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4!  
  I am a big fan of the PA films...I have enjoyed them all, although I did think the last one (Part 3) got a little silly with the coven of witches sub-plot.  It looks like PA4 is back to the roots of what makes these films so great.    Click below to watch the trailer if you haven't seen it yet.   PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 is set for release this coming October 19th!   Will you be seeing this one in the theater?  I know I will, as I don't think this movies work as well on small TV's at home.  I think these are films you definitely need the dark theater aspect to really enjoy.


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

Blu-ray review: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 (1986)

 
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2
Directed by Tobe Hooper
Distributed by Fox Home Entertainment

  I hadn't seen THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 in years.  I am a huge fan of the first film, and am a huge fan of this sequel.  It is quite different from the original, but still great it it's own way.  The film has finally made it's Blu-ray debut, and it is one you will definitely want to add to your horror collection!  For those not familiar with this film, here is the film's description from the Fox Home Entertainment website:

  From the director of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, this ghastly and hilarious (Variety) sequel descends into your deepest, darkest fears as a wacked-out lawman goes after human meat-cutters with his own high-octane chainsaws in a horrific showdown with the legendary leatherface and his entire cannibalistic family. For 14 years, former Texas Ranger Lefty Enright (Oscar® nominee* Dennis Hopper, Hoosiers) has been obsessed with finding the psychotic mass-murderers who killed his brother's children. And today he's in luck. A tough as nails late-night disc jockey (Caroline Williams, Days of Thunder) has caught the ghouls on tape in the act of slicing and dicing a couple of fun-loving rich kids. When she volunteers to help, Lefty persuades her to play the tape on-air to lure the maniacs out of hiding. But what she doesn't know is that she's the only witness to this diabolical family's butchery who hasn't been carved up for somebody's supper just yet!

This is by far one of my favorite horror movie sequels of all time.  I love the character of Leatherface, so it was awesome getting to see him again in a new film.  As I stated before, I hadn't seen this movie in years, so it was almost like watching it again for the first time.   There are tons of great things about this film, including the great performances by Dennis Hopper, Caroline Williams, and Bill Moseley.  Moseley's character of "Chop-Top" is especially memorable, Chop-Top is a character you will not soon forget after seeing him.

 The make up effects and gore are also great in this film, probably because of the presence of Tom Savini.  He bring some great gore gags to the film, including a great sawed in half head scene.    THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 also holds the award for best "jump-scare" of any film ever made.  I won't say too much about it in case you haven't seen the film, but it is such a good scene, I actually hit rewind and watched it a couple more times. 

This a great film and a great addition to your Blu-ray collection.  This is definitely one you will want to get.  THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 is available now on Blu-ray and contains the following Special Features:

● Feature Commentary with Director Tobe Hooper and Filmmaker David Gregory
● Feature Commentary with Bill Moseley, Caroline Williams, Special Makeup Effects Creator Tom Savini and Content Producer Michael Felsher
● The Cutting Room Floor
● It Runs in the Family
● Original Theatrical Trailer

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

Rob Zombie's THE LORDS OF SALEM trailer is finally here!!!

 
 It seem like we have been waiting forever for a glimpse at some actual footage from director Rob Zombie's upcoming film, LORDS OF SALEM.  The wait is over as a teaser trailer has been released!!  I am a huge fan of Zombie's films, and this one looks like it will be an instant classic.  I have hear people talking about how it has a Stanley Kubrick feel and look to it.  I can definitely see that, but I also think it has more of a Dario Argento feel to it...especially with the use of color.  Also, the 3 witches at the end remind me of Argento's film,  SUSPIRIA.   Check out the trailer now if you haven't already.  Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below. 
LORDS OF SALEM will be released to theaters sometime next year.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

Check out the trailer to the cool Japanese horror film, BEDEVILLED

  
I recently ran across the trailer to a film called BEDEVILLED while browsing some other horror trailers on youtube.  I have not heard anything about this film, but it looks amazing.  Also, as I came to find out...it is being released on DVD and Blu-ray next week, October 9!  For those not familiar with this film, here is the basic plot courtesy of the Well Go USA website:

Hae-won (Seong-won Ji) is a woman on the edge: a series of incidents at work earn her a forced “vacation,” but when she travels to a remote island from a childhood visit, at the urgent request of her friend Kim Bok-nam (Yeong-hie Seo), she has no idea what devils of the past are waiting.
Moo-do Island is an unpleasant place to visit, and you definitely don’t want to live there. Bok-nam is crumbling under a weight of violence, sexual menace, and fear – with no means of escaping her tormentors. The vengeful rage that waits inside her is growing, and her sanity shredding. If Hae-won can’t help her escape, she may have to take matters into her own hands, once and for all.

Watch the trailer and let me know what you think.  You can also pre-order the DVD or Blu-ray using the links below.

BEDEVILLED will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 9th, from Well Go USA.


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

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012

 

Here are this week's horror/exploitation related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 10/2:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  ATOMIC BRAIN INVASION
*  CHAINED [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE HOLE [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  HYPOTHERMIA
*  KILLJOY GOES TO HELL
*  PET SEMATARY  [Blu-ray]
*  THE ROAD  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA  [DVD/CD combo]
*  SEANCE:  THE SUMMONING
*  UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTERS: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION [Blu-ray]

Blu-ray Review: SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN (2012)

SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN
Directed by Rupert Sanders
Distributed by Universal Studios Home Entertainment

 I meant to check this film out when it hit theaters, but I never got the chance to see it.  While not a horror film by any means, it does have a few horror elements to it and is a very dark take on the classic fairytale.  For that reason, I am reviewing it on my blog.

 SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN stars Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman, and Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen.  All the actors do a great job in this film, but what really takes center stage here is the visuals.   This film is stunning in terms of how it looks and the visual effects.  This is is especially true when watched on Blu-ray in 1080p High-Def.  This is one film that really needs to be seen in HD to really appreciate it.  If you are unfamiliar with this film, here is the basic synopsis from the film's official website:

  From the Producer of Alice in Wonderland comes a new vision that turns a legendary tale into an action-adventure epic. The evil Queen Ravenna (Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron) will rule forever if she can take the life of Snow White (Kristen Stewart), so she dispatches the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) to track her down. But the wicked ruler never imagined that the Huntsman would train the girl to become a brave warrior, skilled in the art of war.

  In terms of horror, there are some horror elements to it like I said....including giant troll monsters, an army of evil soldiers, and the aforementioned Queen herself.  The Evil Queen from this film makes the one from the animated version look like Mary Poppins.  The Evil Queen will stop at nothing to maintain her youthful appearance and beauty, even going so far as to physically suck the youth and beauty from young women.   This immediately ages the young women, sucking out their youth and turning them into frail old ladies, but in turn retains the Evil Queen's youth and beauty.

 Overall, I thought this was a good film.  While I did find it slow in some areas, it was still nice to look at from the visual effects standpoint.  It was also interesting to see how they filmmakers kept all the main components of the original Snow White story, but added their own take and modern twists to the tale. What is really impressive about the DVD/Blu-ray itself, is the amount of Bonus Features contained on the discs.  Both the DVD and Blu-ray contain the Theatrical Version (128 minutes) of the film, along with an Extended Version  (132 minutes).  The DVD and Blu-ray contain the following Bonus Features:

*  Extended Edition of the film
*  Feature Commentary with Director Rupert Sanders, Visual Effects Supervisor Cedric Nicolas-Troyan and Co-Editor Neil Smith
*  A New Legend is Born Beginning with the assembly an amazing international cast of renowned actors, we’ll take a step-by-step look at how this new take on the classic tale was brought to film. From the initial screen tests to the final frames of footage shot, this in-depth look at how this beloved story was transformed for today’s audiences will be as exiting an adventure as the film itself.


  The Blu-ray version also contains these additional Blu-ray exclusive Bonus Features:

*  SECOND SCREEN An interactive viewing experience that lets you control, interact with and explore Snow White & The Huntsman with your networked tablet of computer.       
*  BEHIND THE SCENES WITH FLICK VIEW Viewers get an all access look at the making of the film featuring interviews with cast and crew.
*  AROUND THE KINGDOM: 360° SET TOUR Explore the magical environments of Snow White and the Huntsman in a scrolling 360 panoramic view. (The Throne Room, the Mirror Room, the Village, Castle Courtyard, King Magnus’ Tents)
*  VIRTUAL FLIP BOOKS Graphics
*  CAST OF CHARACTERS Graphics
*  Includes UltraViolet and Digital Copy of Snow White & The Huntsman to watch anytime, anywhere
*  Reinventing the Fairytale This feature will explore how this timeless tale was given new life. Explore the vast amount of research, conceptualization and artwork that went into this film before the first frame of film was ever shot.
*  Citizens of the Kingdom:

• Fairest of them all: Snow White Kristen Taking on the title role of Snow White & The Huntsman, Kristen Stewart meets the challenge of reinventing the classic fairytale icon and updating her for a 21st Century audience. In a character that radiates both inner and outer beauty, Snow White must triumph over evil by leading an army, sword in hand.
• Deliciously Evil: Queen Ravenna Academy Award® winner, Charlize Theron has been known for completely transforming herself when she inhabits a role. Charlize will punctuate the piece throughout with comments about the challenge of portraying this stunningly flawed, deliciously evil character.
• The Hunstman As one of today’s hottest up and coming stars, Chris Hemsworth has embodied this anti-hero completely. In this piece, Chris talks about what it took to become the Huntsman and how he learned to inhabit this tortured, yet likable character.
• Motley Crew: The Dwarves Part amazing performance, part inspired casting and part digital magic, no one piece created the dwarves, but once revealed their story will be forever memorable.

*  The Magic of Snow White & the Huntsman With the vision of Snow White and the Huntsman Rupert Sanders wanted to redefine the world of Snow White into something living and breathing and then dying under the rule of Ravenna. An inside look into how the VFX team would create a realistic yet fantastical world unlike the movies have ever seen. Explore what it took to create the otherworldly elements that make Snow White and the Huntsman so unique:

• Mirror Man
• Shrinking of the Dwarves
• The Enchanted Forest
• Ravenna’s Dark Magic

*  Around the Kingdom: 360° Set Tour Explore the magical environments of Snow White and the Huntsman in a scrolling 360 panoramic view. (King Magnus’ Courtyard, The Village, Duke Hammond’s Castle Encampment, Queen )
*  pocketBLU™ Experience Blu-ray™ in an exciting new way with the pocket BLU™ app for iPad®, iPhone®, iPod® Touch, Android™, smartphones and tables, PC and Mac®.

• Advanced Virtual Remote and Keyboard Control Blu-ray™ features and communicate with ease.
• Video Timeline Instantly access any point in the film.
• Mobile-To-Go Transfer exclusive bonus features to your device to enjoy anytime, anywhere.
• Browse Titles Access a library of available titles and previews.
• BD-Live™ Access a library of available titles and previews.
• My Scenes Bookmark your favorite scenes and share.
• D-Box Motion enabled

SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN is available now on DVD and Blu-ray combo pack.


CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website and watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray combo pack (Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy/Ultraviolet)

Blu-ray Review: THE WALKIND DEAD: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON

  
THE WALKING DEAD:  THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON
Distributed by:  Anchor Bay Entertainment

 Most anyone reading this blog should know about THE WALKING DEAD.  Weather you read the comic books or not, most all horror fans have found this show and all shout it's praise.  I rank it as one of the greatest shows  in television history.   It is not just a show about zombies, the zombie outbreak is merely the setting for the show.  The heart of this show is the characters and their interactions with each other.   
 The first season of THE WALKING DEAD was great, and I wasn't sure how that could be topped, but the 2nd season of THE WALKING DEAD far exceeded my expectations and blew me away.  Anchor Bay has released THE WALKING DEAD:  THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON on DVD and Blu-ray now, so if you missed any episode, you can go back and check them out, or even if you didn't miss any, you can go back and re-watch any of your favorites.
  The second season has Rick and the crew holding up at Herschel's farm house  and the first part of the season has them searching for Sophia who got away from the group in a beginning episode.  I don't think anyone can forget the episode where Sophia is finally found.  I certainly didn't see it coming, and it really effected me, more so than I can ever remember a television show having an effect on me.

 Season 3 of THE WALKING DEAD starts in just a couple of weeks   (Oct. 14th to be exact), so now is a great time to pick up the DVD or Blu-ray of Season 2 and revisit it if you have forgotten what all happened last season.  Both the DVD and Blu-ray are full of awesome Bonus Features.  In fact, even if you don't care about watching any of the episodes again, you will want to get this DVD / Blu-ray collection solely for the Bonus Features.  They include the following:

*  10 Featurettes including:  All The Guts Inside - Live Or Let Die - The Meat Of The Music - Fire On Set - The Ink Is Alive -The Sound Of The Effects - In The Dead Winter - You Could Make A Killing -She Will Fight -The Cast On Season 2 - Extras Wardrobe
* 6 Webisodes
* Audio Commentaries on Episodes 1, 7, 8, 11, and 13
* Deleted Scenes:  What Lies Ahead - Save The Last One - Secrets - Pretty Much Dead Already - Nebraska - Judge, Jury, Executioner - Better Angels - Beside The Dying Fire

  
CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray
CLICK HERE to purchase the special edition Blu-ray (comes in a limited edition Zombie Statue created by McFarlane Toys and designed by Greg Nicotero!)

  

Do you know about Hollywoodiscalling.com ??

   I don't  know where I first read about this, but there is a website called Hollywood Is Calling where for less than $20 bucks, you can have a celebrity actually call you on the phone!  Or, for only $5, you can get your very own celebrity video email greeting!!  It looks like the live calls are mainly geared toward having the celebrities call and leave you a message on your answering machine or voice mail so you can brag to your friends that a celebrity called you.
  There are lots of celebrities on the site, and while most of these aren't your A-list actors, there are some very cool actors/actresses on here (Mr. Belding from Saved By The Bell anyone?) and even some great horror celebs! 

Current horror celebs include:

Andrew Bryniarski - Leatherface from "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)"
Ari Lehman - Young Jason from "Friday The 13th"
Bill Johnson - Leatherface "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2"
Butch Patrick - Eddie from "The Munsters"
David Naughton - "American Werewolf in London"
Edwin Neal - The Hitchhiker from "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"
Felissa Rose  - "Sleepaway Camp"
Kane Hodder  - Jason from "Friday The 13th VII-X"
Lar Park Lincoln - "Friday The 13th VII"
Sid Haig - "House of 1000 Corpses", "The Devil's Rejects"
Tony Todd - "Candyman"
Warrington Gillette - Jason from "Friday The 13th Part 2"


CLICK HERE to visit Hollywood Is Calling

DVD Review: STRIP MAHJONG: BATTLE ROYALE (20012)

 

STRIP MAHJONG:  BATTLE ROYALE
Directed by:  Mark P. Forever
Distributed by Danger After Dark / TLA Releasing

When I got the press release for a movie called STRIP MAHJONG:  BATTLE ROYALE, I just knew I had to check this one out.  I know nothing about the game of Mahjong, and it actually looks pretty boring...but Strip Mahjong?  Now that I will watch! Ha!

Here is the basic plot of the film from the official press release:

A handful of mysterious Japanese women take part in a deranged web show that makes them strip off their clothes when they lose a round of Mahjong. When there is nothing left to hide, the losers secrets are revealed and the nubile contestants must take their punishment. Can anyone survive, or keep their clothes on, in the dangerous game of "STRIP MAHJONG: BATTLE ROYALE?" Gleefully adding a risqué, wry twist to an ancient game of strategy, this erotic thriller delivers voyeuristic thrills with the friskiness of Seventies sexploitation flicks, providing titillating, strange and kinky gameplay at every turn!

 Ok, so I have to be completely honest.  As much as I wanted to love this movie, I found it to be just ok.  The movie was fun, but it was very slow in some parts and come to find out, even hot, naked, Japanese chicks get boring after a while...especially while they are just sitting around playing Mahjong!  There are some fun scenes, but the movie overall just lacked something.  The plot was very basic, with no real twists or surprises.  I think I was also expecting a little more in terms of horror.  The filmmakers could have amped up the violence and gore and could have really made this a fun film.  Like maybe after the girls loose all their clothes, if they loose again then they loose a finger, or a hand, or a whole arm.  Cue the over-the-top Japanese trademark arterial geysers!  See, now that would have been cool!!  Instead, we get a very toned down version that could be a PG-13 film if it weren't for the rampant nudity all throughout.   Although, if that is what you are looking for, then this is the film for you!

  Overall I enjoyed the film, but as I stated, I really think it could have been better.  It was made well and shot well, and I really liked the way it was shot like a game show.   STRIP MAHJONG: BATTLE ROYALE might not be for everyone, but fans of crazy Japanese cinema will want to check this out for sure.

CLICK HERE for a sneak peak of the film
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Did you know SEARS Department Store has a website just for zombies?

  Apparently this is old news, but I am just finding out about this.  Apparently Sears launched a special campaign a while back in conjunction with a past Halloween season (not sure if it was for last Halloween or how long ago it was created) which features a website designed and geared toward zombies.  Yes, even the living dead want to be stylish and use craftsman tools!

 You can view the site in zombie language, or you can switch to English if you are not brushed up on your zombie talk.  This is pretty funny stuff.  Browse around and shop like a zombie!

CLICK HERE to visit Sears for Zombies

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, September 25th, 2012

     
 
Here are this week's horror/exploitation related DVDs and Blu-rays coming out 9/25:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  388 ARLETTA AVENUE
*  AFTER THE DAWN
*  AMERICAN HORROR STORY:  THE COMPLETE 1ST SEASON [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  ASYLUM BLACKOUT
*  THE BUCKS COUNTY MASSACRE
*  ELVIRA'S MOVIE MACABRE:  BLOODY MADNESS
*  EXIT 101:  THE HALLOWEEN PARTY MASSACRE
*  MANIAC  [Blu-ray]
*  PORKCHOP II:  RISE OF THE RIND
*  POST-MORTEM
*  PURIFICATION
*  READY OR NOT
*  STRIPPERS VS. WEREWOLVES  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE TALL MAN  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  TERROR IS A MAN
*  TERROR OF DRACULA
*  ZOMBIE [Blu-ray]
*  ZOMBIE BABIES

Blu-ray Review: THE LIVING DEAD GIRL (1982)

   
THE LIVING DEAD GIRL
Directed by Jean Rollin
Distributed by Kino Lorber, Inc.

 I am a huge fan of foreign horror, especially the Italian films like those of Lucio Fulci, and Dario Argento.  I have recently began really getting into French horror films, especially those of a filmmaker named Jean Rollin.   He has some very good films, full of great scenes that have a very creepy atmosphere to them.  Thanks to the great folks at Kino Lorber, and distributed through their Redemption Films label, we now have access to some of Jean Rollin's greatest films through their "Cinema of Jean Rollin" series.   I recently watched Rollin's THE LIVING DEAD GIRL, and this has been my favorite Rollin film so far.   Here is the basic plot synopsis from the Kino Lorber website:

  THE LIVING DEAD GIRL (La Morte Vivante) is the story of Catherine Valmont (Françoise Blanchard), a wealthy heiress dead before her time, who is accidentally reanimated when some unfortunate movers attempt to store drums of chemical waste in the neglected burial vaults below her uninhabited chateau. Rollin's "living dead girl" does everything that cinematic convention requires - she kills people, drinks human blood, devours human flesh - yet, for all this, we accept her as an innocent. Meanwhile, the effect that her resurrection has upon her childhood friend, Hélène (Marina Pierro), is infinitely more conscious, deliberate, and evil.

  Bloodier and more violent than his own tastes preferred, THE LIVING DEAD GIRL forced Rollin to work against the grain in his own preferred genre - and he transformed himself in the process. In the unsettling, bloody finale, Blanchard's performance was so intense, so extreme in its confused appetite, revulsion, and glee, the take was nearly interrupted out of concern for the actress's mental health. It's one of the most emotionally incendiary finales in horror film history.

 

  The first thing I noticed after starting this film was the beautiful picture quality on the Blu-ray version.   The film is from 1982, but it looks like it was shot today with the crystal clear picture.   The other thing I noticed about this film was the gore.   This film was much bloodier than the previous film's of Rollin's that I have seen.   There were some great gore effects, including a sickening throat chomping scene!    All of Rollin's usual things are here, including some great atmospheric scenery and some beautiful (and yes, a lot of the times topless) women. 

 

  Like a lot of Rollins films, the acting and dialog is a little cheesy at times, but it is not enough to ruin the film for you by any means.    If you are a fan of Rollin's films, you will definitely want to add this one to your collection.  If you are not familiar with Rollin's films, do yourself a favor and check this one out for sure, and check out all the other great Jean Rollin films available now through the Kino Lorber website.

 

  THE LIVING DEAD GIRL is available now on DVD and Blu-ray and contains the following special features:

 

*  Mastered in HD from the 35mm negative

*  French with optional English subtitles

*  Introduction from Jean Rollin

*  Four featurettes by Daniel Gouyette:

• "Jean-Pierre Bouyxou on La Morte Vivante"
• "The Living Dead Girl: The American Version"
• "Music by Philippe D'Aram"
• "When I Was Seventeen: An Homage to Benoit Lestang

*  Jean Rollin at Fantasia (2007, 36 min.)

*  Excerpt of an interview with Jean Rollin by Joshua T. Gravel

*  12-page booklet with an essay by Tim Lucas, editor of Video Watchdog

*  Original theatrical trailer

*  Original trailers of nine other Rollin films

 

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