Night Howl is a 2017 American horror film written and directed by Michael Taylor Pritt (Are We the Waiting) who also stars. The Fun Time Productions movie also stars Alana Mullins, Rob Pemberton and Jeremy Wheeler.

Kaci Evans, a socially awkward photojournalist who can’t seem to come to grips with the death of his mother. As a child, Kaci was psychologically traumatised after seeing his mother monstrously mauled by a large canine.

Now that Kaci is an adult, he suffers constant night terrors and flashbacks to the time his mother was murdered. After numerous visits with his psychiatrist, Dr. Ezay, Kaci starts to question whether his nightmares are repressed memories, or are they something far more sinister?

Writer/director Michael Taylor Pritt told PopHorror.com: “This is not another predictable or typical werewolf film. I figured out a way, hopefully, to do a whole new take on werewolves that has never been done before. The twist at the end of this [werewolf] movie has never been done before. I promise you that!”

Night Howl is currently available to buy via Amazon Prime Instant Video

Watch this trailer and let us know what you think in the Comments below

IMDb

Werewolves on HORRORPEDIA

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‘A story of temptation and monsters’

Seeds is a 2018 horror film directed by Owen Long from a screenplay by Steven Weisman, based on Long’s storyline. It stars Trevor Long, Andrea Chen and Garr Long.

When his increasingly depraved behaviour spirals out of control, Marcus retreats to his family home along the New England coast. But instead of finding solace, Marcus is haunted by his darkest fears and deepest desires.

Is he losing his mind or has something terrible burrowed deep within him? Incubating. Waiting until the climate is right. Marcus must fight to save his crumbling sanity and protect Lily, his beloved niece from a monster that lies in wait…

Reviews:

“Acting, writing, directing… Trevor Long’s performance, the study of his character and relationships and the filmmakers brilliant pace hits an unholy trinity of mind-altering horror and good filmmaking.” Jason Minton, Without Your Head

Cast and characters:

• Trevor Long … Marcus Milton
• Andrea Chen … Lily
• Garr Long … Spencer
• Kevin Breznahan … Evan
• Chris McGarry … Michael
• Michelle Liu Coughlin … Grace
• Adrian Enscoe … Drew
• Shannon Hartman …Trish
• John Emigh … Keversmith

IMDb

‘Merry Krampus’

Slay Belles is a 2017 American comedy horror directed by Dan Walker [as SpookyDan Walker] from a screenplay co-written with Jessica Luhrssen and produced by Darren Lynn Bousman (St. Agatha; 11-11-11, Tales of Halloween, Saw II). It stars Kristina Klebe, Susan Slaughter and Barry Bostwick.

Three cosplaying young women accidentally unleash Krampus and have to team up with Santa Claus to save the world…

Slay Belles is currently being marketed at the Cannes Film Festival.

Cast and characters:

• Barry Bostwick … Santa – The Rocky Horror Picture Show
• Kristina Klebe … Alexi – Extremity; Don’t Kill It; Chillerama; Zone of the Dead; Halloween (2007)
• Susan Slaughter … Dahlia – Ouija House
• Hannah Wagner … Sadie
• Stephen Ford [as Stephen Lunsford]… Sean
• Diane Salinger … Cherry
• Joel Ezra Hebner … Officer Anderson
• Richard Moll … Officer Green – Ghost Shark; Headless Horseman; Spiders 2; Evilspeak; Cataclysm
• Rich Manley … Brian
• Blake Reigle … Bar Drunk

IMDb | Official site

‘Where Evil Hides’

Within These Walls is a 2015 supernatural horror film directed by James Adam Tucker from a screenplay by Kelsey Zukowski, based on Tucker’s story. The stars Kelsey Zukowski, Laura Mortensen and Felissa Rose.

‘A prisoner in her own home, a captive in her own body. Assaulted and trapped with no one to hear her cries for help… and knowing no one will believe her if they do. This is the terrifying reality Alaina finds herself in when she moves in to the house her mother died in.

At first she thinks it’s the loss of her mother that is haunting her, but she is soon shown it is something far more malicious and unrelenting. The spirit taunts her as it invades her body, mind, and soul, completely trapping her.

Alaina has to fight for answers on what really happened to her mother if she has any hopes of survival. She must find a way to endure this monster who lives and breathes to rob her of her sanity as it demands a savage hold on her…’

Within These Walls is being marketed for international sales by Summer Hill Entertainment at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

Reviews:

“Where the directing and writing is impressive without question, the performances by the cast also proved to live up to expectations. Kelsey Zukowski performance as Alaina Olsen is amazing. You feel her pain, her torment… her struggle. You want to see her fight through it all to beat the odds.” Clifford Kiyabu, The Critic’s Word

“In this day and age, the audience tends to have a short attention span and people like that may be turned off by this film. Alaina isn’t just a strong character, she’s a strong female heroine complete with flaws and all. Zukowski may show a bit of inexperience on screen, nevertheless, she gives the character her all and proves with time she will be a force to be reckoned with.” Corey Danna, HorrorNews.net

“Within these Walls was a spectacular watch that did not contain much CGI effects that gave it a bonus. The movie made me use my mind a lot with different thoughts as to what was going on and what will happen next. I like that the movie kept me on my toes.” Hell Horror

Cast and characters:

• Kelsey Zukowski … Alaina Olsen
• Laura Mortensen … Lillian Olsen
• Felissa Rose … Sage Hawthorne
• Marv Blauvelt … Will Olsen
• Jessica Rogers … Natalie
• James Adam Tucker … Officer Davis
• Kate Rhoswen [as Kate Atack]… Chloe

Filming locations:

Reno, Nevada, USA
Pasadena, California, USA

IMDb

Image credits: HorrorNews.net

‘Terror at 30,000 feet!’

Flight 666 is a 2018 American supernatural horror film directed by Rob Pallatina (Alien Siege; Fortune Cookie; Alien Convergence) from a screenplay by Jacob Cooney (Isle of the Dead; 3-Headed Shark Attack) and Brandon Stroud (Meet Me There). The Asylum production stars Renée Willett, Paul Logan and Liz Fenning.

Passengers and crew on an international flight are attacked by unseen forces that threaten all aboard and on the ground below them.

As they fight to stay alive, they start to realise that these are actually the spirits of murdered girls determined to stop their killer on board who will do anything to remain free…

Main cast:

• Renée Willett – Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!
• Paul Logan – Halloween Pussy Trap Kill Kill; Puppet Master: Axis Termination; The Sandman; CobraGator; Vampire in Vegas; Cannibal Taboo; Way of the Vampire; The Curse of the Komodo; et al
• Liz Fenning – Recovery; Atlantic Rim: Resurrection; OMG… We’re in a Horror Movie; Ghosthunters; The Ghostmaker; Nightmare (2011)
• Jose Rosete
• Joseph Michael Harris
• Jesse James D’Angelo
• Justin Hoffmeister
• Clarissa Thibeaux
• Brendan Petrizzo
• Greg Furman
• Shamar Philippe
• Elizabeth Harding
• Seth Rakos
• Matthew Riley
• Sharon Desiree

Trivia:

Not to be confused with the 2009 Iron Maiden film of the same name.

IMDb

Related:

The Horror at 37,000 Feet (1973)

‘Bad memories always haunt you’

The Redeeming is a 2018 British psychological thriller directed by Brian Barnes from a screenplay by Roger Thomas; it stars Robert Blackwood, Robert Coren and Ryan Wichert.

A disturbed single mother is forced to confront a mysterious stranger and the echoes of her past to protect her home…

The film is currently available on Amazon Prime, Google Play and YouTube Movies.

Reviews:

“The Redeeming is an intimate two-piece drama that has the viewer switching sides as they try to guess where the film will develop. It might be free of gore, but there’s a plentiful dark current that will keep genre fans entertained. The film also offers an interesting exploration of mental illness and the bonds that we make.” Kat Hughes, Critical Popcorn

“Although this script is so character-driven and location-based it might have been written for stage rather than screen, a great strength of The Redeeming is how comfortable it is with giving information purely visually. Shared feelings, realisations and memories are reflected in subtle moves and cuts, so the script’s tendency to over-explain character and situation is a surprise.” Rachel Knightley, Horror Talk

“While there are certainly times when The Redeeming‘s low budget comes into play, Barnes is an obviously gifted filmmaker who has crafted a slow burning, psychologically involving dramatic thriller that is light on actual gore yet intense with the actual suspense. Working from Thomas’s intelligent, involving script, Barnes and his cast and crew have crafted a winner…” Richard Propes, The Independent Critic

“The chattiness, which has a stagey feel, evokes the talk-driven TV dramas of another era – it risks seeming old-fashioned, but the rising hysteria of two people whose conversation keeps turning aggressive, with seemingly deliberate misunderstandings setting each off at times, is still an effective device. It knowingly deploys old tricks like the radio news item about an escaped mental patient cut off when the power goes out, and see-saws effectively between misdirections and knowing chat about Friday the 13th and The Cabin in the Woods.” The Kim Newman Web Site

“This is the psychological thriller at its best, the intriguing story and claustrophobic setting pulling the viewer inexorably into the mystery. Wood and Wichert expertly bring to life characters that hide dark and strange secrets — sometimes even from themselves – and every line rings true.” Laura MacLeod, The Movie Critic Next Door

Filming locations:

Somerset, England, UK

Release:

The Redeeming premiered at the Horror-on-Sea festival on January 28, 2018.

IMDb | Official site

‘Sweet dreams’

Paralytic – original title: The Figment – is a 2017 American horror film written and directed by David W. Keffer (Ghost Game). It stars Lauren Parkinson, Jacob Cormier and Ericka Atwell.

Buying the house was supposed to be a dream come true. But for Drew and Kara Townsend the nightmare has just begun. Drew works nights while his wife – a nurse – works with the elderly during the day. But neither ever really seem to be home alone.

When Drew wakes up paralysed by an unseen force, feeling like an evil being is present. But Kara is experiencing something too, and she begins to question if something sinister is watching them sleep…

Paralytic is being marketed for international sales by Summer Hill Entertainment at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

Cast and characters:

• Lauren Parkinson … Kara Townsend
• Jacob Cormier … Drew Townsend
• Ericka Atwell … Mae
• Margo Rowder … Mallory
• Marcia Lyons … June
• Robert Kimball … Emmanuel
• Rob Antus … Rob
• Thomas Jacob … Newcaster 1
• Kevin Green … Newscaster 2
• Tremayne Woodard … Newscaster 3
• Chen Chen Julian … Newscaster 4

IMDb | Official site

‘When God created light, the first shadow was born’

Bram Stoker’s Shadowbuilder – aka Shadowbuilder and Shadow Builder – is a 1998 Canadian/American supernatural horror film directed by Jamie Dixon (co-producer of As Above, So Below; director of Bats: Human Harvest) from a screenplay by Michael Stokes. The movie is loosely based on the short story ‘The Shadow Builder’ by Bram Stoker; it stars Michael Rooker, Leslie Hope and Shawn Thompson.

Director Jamie Dixon is a visual effects specialist, having worked on seventy movies including Prometheus; The Chronicles of Riddick; The Ring Two; Deep Blue Sea; Vampire in Brooklyn; Warlock III and Spawn via his Hammerhead Productions company. The prosthetics were designed by Paul Jones (Wishmaster, Ginger Snaps, Hellraiser III).

On August 28, 2018, MVD Rewind Collection is releasing Shadowbuilder on Blu-ray with the following special features:

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the main feature
• Original 2.0 Stereo Audio (Uncompressed PCM)
• Audio Commentary from Director Jamie Dixon
• ”Making of Shadowbuilder” featurette (HD, 33:22) (featuring director Jamie Dixon, writer Michael Stokes and stars Andrew Jackson (The Shadowbuilder) and Tony Todd (Covey)
• ”Shadowbuilder: Visual Effects” featurette (HD, 13:26)
• ”Shadowbuilder: Kevin Zegers” featurette (HD, 5:00)
• Reversible Artwork
• Spanish Subtitles
• Original Theatrical Trailer (SD)
• Collectible Poster

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

An evil Archbishop and his followers summon a demon to destroy the world, but the demon’s first act is to kill its summoners. It does so in an appropriately unique manner, by turning the bodies of its victims into what appears to be solid shadow, which disintegrates at the first touch of light, any light. Light is the demon’s anathema.

Unable to stand the slightest glimmer at its creation, the creature gains strength and solidity with each kill, allowing it a greater resistance to the light; and with it the ability to affect and control those around it, including a pack of vicious dogs.

As the small town of Grand River is orchestrated towards its own destruction, it proceeds to hunt down a particular child. A pivotal sacrifice, necessary to complete its transition into the light, and unleash its Evil. Wayward priest Father Vassey is the town’s only hope…

Reviews:

” …a cracking good B-movie with plenty of excitement, an exciting and fast-moving plot, top-notch effects, a decent cast and an original and threatening villain.” MJ Simpson, Cult films and the people who make them

” …a modestly effective little film. It has an intriguingly original monster – a demon that can only live in shadows and is burnt by light. The creature itself, seemingly chiselled out of obsidian, is well conceived and its final demonic transformation impressive. There are a number of imaginative set-pieces…” Richard Scheib, Moria

“There are scenes in this movie that will make you jump, with the sudden shocks not becoming cheap gimmicks for scares, but as part of the continuing story. Also, director Dixon builds up tension, where we are made to wait for something horrifying.” Keith Bailey, The Unknown Movies

“While the basic premise and a few details of Shadowbuilder are familiar, the movie has been put together with commendable skill. The imaginative direction by special effects artist Jamie Dixon is well-attuned to both character and scares, and he’s abetted by Michael Stokes’ smart script.” TV Guide

Choice dialogue:

Evert Covey: “Doggone!”

Evert Covey: “We’re gonna light this joint up like a cathouse in Vegas!”

Jenny Hatcher: “There really are devils and angels.”

Father Vassey: “I’ll see you in Hell!”

Cast and characters:

• Michael Rooker … Father Vassey – The Belko Experiment; The Walking Dead TV series; Penance; Slither; The Dark Half; Sea of Love; Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer; et al
• Leslie Hope … Jenny Hatcher – Crimson Peak
• Shawn Thompson … Sheriff Sam Logan
• Andrew Jackson … Shadowbuilder
• Kevin Zegers … Chris Hatcher – Dawn of the Dead (2004); Komodo; The Hollow
• Tony Todd … Evert Covey – Zombies; Teeth and Blood; Live Evil; Penance; Final Destination; Candyman; Night of the Living Dead (1990); et al
• Hardee Lineham … Nestor Tibbot
• Catherine Bruhier … Maggie MacKinnon
• Gordon M. Woolvett … Larry Eggers – Bride of Chucky
• James B. Douglas … Doc Cole
• Richard McMillan … Father Finler
• Charlotte Sullivan … Jazz
• Andrew Sardella … Paul
• David Calderisi … Bishop Gallo
• Lawrence Bayne … Quinlan

Wikipedia | IMDb

Blu-ray releases

Religious horror on HORRORPEDIA

Image credits: Cult films and the people who make them

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Rabid is a 2018 Canadian horror film directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska as The Soska Sisters (See No Evil 2; American Mary) from a screenplay co-written with John Serge (Dead on Campus), based on David Cronenberg’s 1977 film of the same name. The Film Mode Entertainment production will star Laura Vandervoort (Jigsaw) and is currently in pre-production.

A “Plain-Jane” designer is having difficultly standing out in the world of high fashion among flawlessly beautiful models including her own roommate. Relegated to the role of seamstress for a world-renowned designer, Sarah wants nothing more than to be noticed for her own designs. When she witnesses the closeness of her model roommate with Brad, the photographer she has grown close to, Sarah rushes from a party feeling angry and hurt. A resulting traffic accident leaves her with significant scars on her face and body.

Based on the referral from her apologetic roommate, Sarah meets with a renowned plastic surgeon that convinces her to undergo a highly experimental healing procedure that uses stems cells to speed up and improve healing. She recovers to find herself looking as beautiful as the models she works with. Sarah finds her confidence and sexual appetite is also increased leading to several torrid sexual encounters.

Unbeknownst to her, Sarah sets off a spiraling contagion, as within 24 hours her lovers become rabid, violent spreaders of death and disease. As the disease mutates, it spreads through society at an accelerated rate causing an ever-increasing number of people to rampage through the streets in a violent and bloody killing spree.

The now out of control disease draws the attention of the CDC and the nefarious plastic surgeon out to find the cure. The spreading violence around them impedes them from discovering the truth. Sarah is both the source of the disease and its cure…and time is running out….

Rabid has secured distribution in Canada, A71 will handle the release; meanwhile, 101 Films will release it in United Kingdom.

IMDb | Official site

Related: Rabid (1977)

The Quantum Terror is a 2018 science fiction horror film written and directed by Christopher Cooksey (creature designer on Harbinger Down). Kristin Cochell, Paula Marcenaro Solinger and Matt Blackwell star.

‘The twin sister and ex-boyfriend of a missing grad student lead their friends down a labyrinth of dark tunnels inhabited by an alien entity, in search of her. A story of terror and madness, in the tradition of H.P. Lovecraft, David Lynch, and old school practical effects.’

Cast and characters:

• Kristin Cochell … Samantha Carroll / Silvia Carroll
• Paula Marcenaro Solinger … Lucy
• Matt Blackwell … Jacob Colt
• Dimitrius Pulido … Professor Rathbone
• Val Mayerik … Detective Ritchie
• Jordan Michael Brinkman   … Noah

Filming locations:

Kyle, Texas, USA

Trivia:

Many of the tentacle effects in The Quantum Terror were designed by special effects company studioADI; their credits include Tremors, Starship Troopers, the Aliens franchise, Death Becomes Her, The Thing prequel, IT (2017) and The Predator.

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The Plan is a 2017 Italian found footage supernatural horror film directed by Paolo Dematteis from a screenplay by Giulio Ortolani. The P.I.T. production was produced by Christian Valinotti and Debora Bedino; it stars Biancamaria Botta, Giulio Maria Cavallini and Michela Hickox.

Five former college friends arrange to have a reunion in a castle in Piemonte, Italy.

A local legend says the queen of the castle, Johanna of Anjou, was blamed for a terrible drought and famine. Before she was hung by the rebellious villagers, she placed a curse in her journal then killed herself.

One night when they are drunk, the group enters the forbidden room where Queen Joanna died. There, they find her journal. The spirit of Queen Joanna returns, and her thirst for revenge is horrific…

Cast and characters:

• Biancamaria Botta … Gioia
• Giulio Maria Cavallini … Bart
• Michela Hickox … Eveline
• Riccardo Livermore … Vanja
• Jennifer Mischiati … Mandy
• Marcello Spinetta … John

IMDb | All images are copyright P.I.T. productions and are reproduced here solely for the purposes of wider information, education and promotion.

More Italian horror

New and future releases

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Gasing Tengkorak – English translation: “Skull Top” – is a 2017 Indonesian supernatural horror film directed by Jose Poernomo. The Dee Company production stars Nikita Willy, Rendy Khrisna, Voke Victoria and Farahdiba Ferreira.

Veronica (Nikita Willy), is a top singing diva. However, during a concert, she suddenly falls unconscious. Michael, her manager, arranges for her to recuperate in a beautiful luxurious villa, far from everywhere.

Veronica asks to be left alone. Initially staying in the villa is a pleasure for. But gradually, the occult disturbances begin to haunt Veronica, in the form of a skull game…

IMDb

Margot Kidder (October 17, 1948 – May 13, 2018), born as Margaret Ruth Kidder, was a Canadian American actress. She is best known as Lois Lane in the Superman film series, playing alongside Christopher Reeve. Kidder began her career in the 1960s appearing in low-budget Canadian films and television series.

Horror fans mainly know Margot Kidder’s work as the twins in Brian De Palma’s Sisters (1973); as sassy Barbara “Barb” Coard in Bob Clark’s seminal slasher film Black Christmas (1974); and as Kathy Lutz in The Amityville Horror (1979).

However, Kidder also appeared in horror-themed productions such as 1973 TV movie The Suicide Club (part of The Wide World of Mystery series), The Reincarnation of Peter Proud, the 1992 Tales from the Crypt episode ‘Curiosity Killed’, The Hunger TV series episode ‘The Sloan Men’ (1997), the 1997 Aaahh!!! Real Monsters kids’ television series (voicing Mistress Helga), slasher movie The Clown at Midnight (1999, with Christopher Plummer), supernatural anthology pic Death 4 Told (2004) and Rob Zombie’s Halloween II (2009).

In 2015, she won an Emmy Award for her performance as Mrs Worthington on the children’s television series R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour.

Wikipedia | IMDb

My Favorite Horror Movie: 48 Essays by Horror Creators on the Film That Shaped Them is a 2018 book produced and edited by horror filmmaker Christian Ackerman (Deadly Reunion; Bethany; 2 Jennifer) via his Black Vortex Cinema imprint and initially available via Kindle.

“The book is a ghoulish celebration of how the singular viewing of a horror film can inspire someone to find their identity and develop an obsession with the dark side of arts.

Featuring legends of horror with some of the most prolific and unique new voices in the genre such as Felissa Rose (Victor Crowley; Sleepaway Camp), Cerina Vincent (Cabin Fever), Tony Timpone (Fangoria), Jeffrey Reddick (Final Destination), Dave Parker (The Hills Run Red), Rolfe Kanefsky (Bus Party to Hell;The Black Room; There’s Nothing Out There), Ryan Lambert (Monster Squad) and Michael Gingold (Fangoria), My Favorite Horror Movie is an intimate glimpse into the development of their horror-obsessed minds.

“I’m truly proud of the passion my colleagues put into these essays. The book is a auto-biographical glimpse into their creative souls,” says Ackerman. “I hope it inspires everyone to love horror as much as we do, and maybe even inspire them to create their own monsters!”

Featuring contributions from filmmakers, actors, writers, directors, painters, musicians, journalists and film festival directors, the essays in My Favorite Horror Movie celebrate classic films from the likes of George Romero, John Carpenter, Sam Raimi, Tobe Hooper, Dan O’Bannon, Wes Craven, Alfred Hitchcock, and many more!” – via press release

List of contributors:

Alex Napiwocki (Drunk Zombies, Blue Balls, Death House, Altitude)

Arielle Brachfeld (Snake Outta Compton, Chemical Peel, Los Angeles Overnight)

B. Harrison Smith (Death House, Camp Dread, The Fields, 6 Degrees of Hell, Zombie Killers: Elephant’s Graveyard, Garlic & Gunpowder)

Bill Shafer (Hyaena Gallery, Cohasset Snuff Film, Serial Killer Culture TV)

Blake Reigle (One of Us, Beneath The Surface, His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th)

C. Courtney Joyner (Shotgun, From a Whisper To a Scream, Class of 1999, Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge)

Calder Greenwood (Harbinger Down, Swiss Army Man, Nosferatu, Perfect, Kuso)

Cerina Vincent (Cabin Fever, Disney’s Stuck in the Middle Power Rangers, Not Another Teen Movie)

Chris Hampton (Passion of the Christ, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Watchmen,
Cabin in the Woods, The Hobbit, Fear the Walking Dead)

Christian Ackerman (Hell’s Belles, Bethany, Death House, Deadly Reunion Slayer: You Against You)

Christopher Jimenez (Sinful Celluloid, Danzig: Last Ride, Hellevator Man, Scare The Devil, Mr. Black)

Chuck Foster (Film Threat, The Summoners, Hell’s Belles, Pide Ayuda, Lugal)

Chuck Parello (The Hillside Strangler, Ed Gein, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer 2, Dr. 420)

Clint Carney (Dry Blood, SYSTEM SYN)

Dave Parker (The Dead Hate the Living, The Hills Run Red, It Watches, Tales of Halloween: Sweet Tooth)

Eric Spudic (Aquanoids, Creepies, Dead Clowns, Dino Wolf, Killers by Nature, Savage Harvest 2)

Ernie Trinidad (www.ErnieTrinidad.com)

Esther Goodstein (The Black Room, Nightmare Man, Spreading Darkness, Sex and the USA, One in the Gun)

Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp, Victor Crowley, Death House Camp Dread, The Perfect House, Satan’s Playground)

Frank Merle (The Employer, #FromJennifer)

Graham Skipper (Sequence Break, The Mind’s Eye, Re-Animator the Musical, Beyond The Gates, Almost Human)

Hank Braxton (Snake Outta Compton, Unnatural, Chemical Peel, Freddy VS Ghostbusters)

Hunter Johnson (2 Jennifer, Serena Waits, Irrational Fear, Ugly Sweater Party, #From Jennifer)

Jack Bennett (Anthrax: Blood Eagle Wings, Bloodworks, Caprice, Blood and Guts with Scott Ian, Fun Sized Horror’s Good Night)

James Cullen Bressack (Bethany, Pernicious, Hate Crime, If Looks Could Kill, To Jennifer)

Jared Rivet (Jackals, Earbud Theater, Dead Right Horror Trivia)

Jeffrey Reddick (Final Destination, Dead Awake, Superstition: The Rule of 3’s)

Jonathan Martin (FilmQuest, An Evening with My Comatose Mother, Kiss the Devil in the Dark, Creatures of Whitechapel)
Josh McKevitt (American Horror Story: Cult, The Nice Guys, Vida, Freakish)

Joshua Lou Friedman (Bitch Slap, Big Ass Spider, Tales of Halloween, Lavalantula,
I Spit on Your Grave III: Vengeance is Mine)

Julia Hapney (Zombeavers, VHS/Viral, The Summoners, The Basement, Snake Outta Compton)

Ken Jacobsen (Metallica’s Ride The Lighting, Hell’s Belles, Mania)

Matt Mercer (Contracted, Contracted: Phase II, The Mind’s Eye, Beyond the Gates, Madison County, You or a Loved One)

Michael Gingold (Fangoria, Rue Morgue, Shark Movie Mania, The Frightfest Guide to Monster Movies)

Michael Klug (Horror Freak News; Tom Holland’s Terror Time)

Miguel Rodriguez (Horrible Imaginings Film Festival & Podcast, Mass Hypnosis Podcast, Film Geeks San Diego)

Nick Phillips (Sharon Tate and the Manson Murders, Pet, Spectres)

Rolfe Kanefsky (There’s Nothing Out There, The Hazing, Nightmare Man, The Black Room, Party Bus To Hell)

Ryan Lambert (The Monster Squad, Kids Incorporated, Short Ends, Telephone, Kill Moi)

Sarah Nicklin (Nun of at, Exhumed, The Haunting of Alice D)

Sean Decker (Fangoria, DreadCentral.com, Yummy Meat: A Halloween Carol)

Spooky Dan Walker (Slay Belles, The Devil’s Carnival, Alleluia! The Devil’s Carnival)

Staci Layne Wilson (Cabaret of the Dead, Psycho Therapy, So L.A. – A Hollywood Memoir)

Tammy Sutton (The Conjuring, Avatar, Final Destination 2 & 3, Blade: Trinity, Twilight)

Terry Wolfinger (Jurassic Park 2, Michael Jackson’s Ghosts, Terminator 3, The Suffering Video Game, Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine)

Todd Robey (RobeyArt.com)

Tony Timpone (Fangoria Magazine, Fangoria Radio, Monsterpalooza, Fantasia Film Festival, Horror Equity Fund)

Trista Robinson (Purgatory Road, The Human Race, Silent Retreat, Echoes of Fear)

Ghost Story: Bride with Painted Skin – original title: 聊斋新编之画皮新娘 – is a 2016 Chinese supernatural horror film.

A demon in the guise of a beautiful young woman tempts men for their souls…

More details to follow, when available…

IMDb

‘A tree so evil, the Devil planted it himself’

Devil’s Tree: Rooted Evil is a 2018 American supernatural horror film directed by Chris Alonso and Joshua Louis; it stars Maddy Curley, Eddie Kaulukukui, Roberto Escobar and Erin Ownbey.

Samantha, a college student studying journalism, needs to complete her thesis with one last breaking news story. Along with her friend Rob, Samantha stumbles across a news article about an old tree in a local park where many horrible acts occurred. The locals have named it Devil’s Tree because of urban legends about mass murders, satanic rituals, and paranormal activity. She decides this is the perfect story to finish her thesis on…

Reviews:

” …fails to make the best it can out of its sinister, if gimmicky premise, choosing to steal familiar elements from such classics as Blair Witch Project and The Conjuring, instead of developing its own, original story, with the biggest let down being the poor twist at the end and the even poorer acting by everyone involved in it.” George Beremov, CineMarvellous!

“The cinematography is crisp, and the shots are varied enough to remain engaging yet standard enough not to draw undue attention. The sound is manageable, and the special effects are mostly gore-related and decent (though they rely too heavily on repetitive throat-slitting). However, technical know-how doesn’t cover inconsistencies caused by a problematic script and directing work…” Nathan Wyckoff, HorrorNews.net

Cast and characters (listed alphabetically):

• Diana D. Ambrosio … Gloria
• Ryan App … Young Sam
• Chris Caputo … Man in Woods
• Dan Crisafulli … Gerard Schaeffer
• Maddy Curley … Samantha
• Michael Ray Davis … Officer John Harris
• Marc Durso … College Professor
• Roberto Escobar … Ranger Michael
• Logan Gambill … Benjamin
• Nicholas Garofola … Boyfriend
• Nicoletta Hanssen … Female Victim #2
• Eddie Kaulukukui … Rob
• Jo Liakos … Female Victim #1
• Roy Lynam … Kevin
• Erin Ownbey … Natalie

IMDb

‘You may be the target… of the next “crank” call…’

I Saw What You Did is a 1965 American horror thriller film produced and directed by William Castle (Homicidal; The Tingler; Mr. Sardonicus; House on Haunted Hill; et al) from a screenplay by William P. McGivern, based upon the 1964 novel Out of the Dark by Ursula Curtiss; It stars Joan Crawford, John Ireland and Leif Erickson.

The film was remade as a TV movie in 1988.

When two mischievous teens Libby (Andi Garrett) and Kit (Sara Lane) are home alone with Libby’s younger sister Tess (Sharyl Locke), they amuse themselves by randomly dialling telephone numbers asking prank questions, telling whomever answers: “I saw what you did, and I know who you are.”

Libby places a call to Steve Marak (John Ireland), a man who has recently murdered his wife, Judith (Joyce Meadows) and disposed of her body in the woods.

Believing he has been found out, he decides to track down the caller to silence her…

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Reviews:

“Garrett and Lane exude a lot of spunk but in their characters’ naiveté, they also expose their inexperience as actors. William P. McGivern’s screenplay, adapted from Ursula Curtiss’ novel, Out of the Dark, contains some memorable quotes for Crawford but it also delivers schlock and campy material.” Dr. Stephen Larson, Blu-ray.com

“Castle never forgets to drop in peculiar, off-setting shots just for the fun of it […] before staging a tense showdown in the fog with Marak pursuing the girls. When little Tess gets snatched out of nowhere—by whom?—I immediately thought of De Palma’s Dressed to Kill; indeed, watching this finely-crafted, utterly bizarre little thriller, any fan of the slasher/horror genre will see antecedents here…” Paul Mavis, DVD Drive-In

“Castle at least generates some okay suspense in the scenes with John Ireland sinisterly skulking about and killing people. He even stages a Psycho-modelled shower murder sequence that comes as a jolt surprise early in the show. On the other hand, the scenes with the teenage airheads, where much of the focus of the film is, do drag the show out.” Richard Scheib, Moria

” …the film transforms into a vintage, gothic chiaroscuro dream, its wonderfully artificial, backlot sets bathed in an unreal fog that slinks and purrs about every crevice. Where Hitchcock deployed black and white to stage stark, gritty violence, Castle’s sensibilities hew more classically: I Saw What You Did may be couched in griminess, but it has the soul of an old-school, B-movie spook show…” Brett Gallman, Oh, the Horror!

“This actually works quite well. It might not have set the box office on fire when it played theaters and it won’t usurp the reputations of Castle’s better known and more successful pictures but it’s well put together, it features a great cast and it provides plenty of solid suspense.” Ian Jane, Rock! Shock! Pop!

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“Bolstered by a solid final 15 minutes, this one is an enjoyable – if too lighthearted (some of the performances are too campy for their own good) – suspense ride.” The Terror Trap

“A few chilling moments, but it all depends upon your susceptibility.” David Pirie, The Time Out Film Guide

“Though the plot is thin, the film offers a chilling atmosphere and the performances are effective.” TV Guide

Cast and characters:

• Joan Crawford as Amy Nelson – Trog; Berserk; Strait-Jacket; What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?
• John Ireland as Steve Marak – Bloody Movie; Incubus; Welcome to Arrow Beach; The House of Seven Corpses
• Leif Erickson as Dave Mannering – The Evil Touch TV series; Night Gallery TV series; Strait-Jacket; Inner Sanctum TV series
• Sara Lane as Kit Austin
• Andi Garrett as Libby Mannering
• Sharyl Locke as Tess Mannering
• Patricia Breslin as Ellie Mannering
• John Archer as John Austin
• John Crawford as State Trooper
• Joyce Meadows as Judith Marak

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Release:

I Saw What You Did was released theatrically in the United States by Universal Pictures on July 21, 1965.

It was released by Anchor Bay Entertainment on VHS and on Region 1 DVD on August 24, 1999. On May 23, 2014, it was re-released as an exclusive DVD-R by Universal as part of its Universal Vault Series, but in a full frame presentation.

On May 17, 2016, Shout! Factory released the film for the first time on Blu-ray Disc via their Scream Factory imprint.

Wikipedia | IMDb

Image credits: Rock! Shock! Pop!

‘It’ll be a night to remember… if they survive!’

Hens Night is a 2016 Canadian dark comedy horror film directed and edited by Kristian Lariviere (Unholy Night; Monster Pool: Seven Deadly Sins; Betting the Devil Your Head: Tales from Poe) from a screenplay by Jennifer Allanson, who also stars, alongside Edith Landreville and Candice Lidstone.

Surrounded by her best friends and her estranged cousin, Jess sets out to have the most memorable bachelorette party ever. From limo rides to sexy dare games, this night has it all. But not everything is as it seems.

A few unexpected surprises turn her last day of freedom into something terrifying and unexpected. Now the girls must play a twisted game of dare cards in order to make it out alive…

Reviews:

“The horror aspects of the movie don’t creep in for some time, but the tension between the characters is pretty thick right from the start. When the film finally embraces the darkness, it does so in a big way. At that point, things become gruesome, and even perverse in nature.” John Migliore, Indie Horror

Cast and characters:

• Jennifer Allanson … Jess
• Edith Landreville … Laura
• Candice Lidstone … Kim
• Emily Shanley … Holly
• Fiona Noakes … Sarah
• Sam Awwad … Roger
• Mike Tarp … Tom
• Christina Roman … Allison
• Andi Cooper … Charles
• Jordan Lockhart … Waiter
• J.F. Dufault … Bar Guy
• Julien Masterson … Ben
• Francko Edge … Friend
• Syerra Lariviere … Young Kim
• Heather Glenn … Young Laura

Filming locations:

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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‘Young pawns thrust into pulsating cages of horror in a sadistic experiment!’

Teenage Zombies – re-release title Teenage Torture – is a 1957 [released 1960] American science fiction horror film written [as Jaques Lecotier], produced and directed by Jerry Warren (Creature of the Walking Dead; Face of the Screaming Werewolf; Curse of the Stone Hand). The movie stars Don Sullivan, Katherine Victor and Steve Conte.

The film’s soundtrack score was recycled from Kronos (1957).

Warren revisited some elements of the plot for Frankenstein Island (1981).

While boating, a quartet of teenagers, Reg (Don Sullivan), Skip (Paul Pepper), Julie (Mitzie Albertson), and Pam (Brianne Murphy), accidentally discover an island run by a mad scientist named Doctor Myra who, backed by foreign agents from “the East”, intends to turn everyone in the United States into a zombie.

The teenagers become trapped on the island, and are temporarily imprisoned in cages. They are freed when other teenagers arrive with the sheriff (who turns out to be in league with Doctor Myra).

A complicated fight scene serves as the climax, in which a de-zombified gorilla arrives just in time to attack Dr. Myra’s henchmen and allow the teens to escape. When they are safely back on the mainland, it is implied that the teens will receive a reward for discovering the island, and will have an audience with the President of the United States.

On November 10, 2015, Vinegar Syndrome issued the film on a DVD double-bill with 1959 nudie western Revenge of the Virgins (co-written by Edward D. Wood Jr.). Both films are presented in 1.85.1 anamorphic widescreen in black and white transfers taken from 2K scans of the original 35mm negatives.

Buy Vinegar Syndrome DVD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Reviews:

“To some, Teenage Zombies is a fun and hilariously bad movie. To most, it’s absolute torture to sit through. Either way, it’s cheap, poorly filmed, endlessly talky, slow-moving, technically inept, bargain basement garbage. The acting and dialogue are both terrible, nearly the entire thing is comprised of medium shots which seem to go on forever… The Bloody Pit of Horror

“Teenage Zombies is often considered one of the worst horror films ever made. The claustrophobic sets–the ice cream parlor, the general’s headquarters (complete with large map), the police station, and Victor’s lab–all look like they were shot in someone’s house, and it’s enough to make Eddie Wood blush.” DVD Drive-in

“Entire scenes will go by in one master shot, even when only one person speaks throughout the whole thing. Occasional (very occasional) close-ups seem jarringly out of place on the rare times they occur, and you get the impression that they are being used to hide edits than the result of any sort of creative decision. I think there are about 100 cuts in the entire movie.” Horror Movie a Day

“To the stock music that in no way matches any of the film over which it blares — to gargantuan plot holes, non-existent special effects, and an ending that just sort of drags on and on like an elaborate but poorly constructed joke. Teenage Zombies has absolutely nothing going for it. But Teenage Zombies is hilariously awful, and at 70 or so minutes doesn’t overstay its welcome.” Horrorview.com

“Don’t expect much zombie action here, but the junky charms of this film are plentiful as it reels out pages and pages of ridiculous “gee, whiz!” dialogue, a clunky soundtrack cobbled together with stock music from other ’50s sci-fi films, and some juicy overacting from the villainous actors, not to mention “minimalist” sets that would get thrown out of most high school plays. Yep, this one’s a keeper.” Nathaniel Thompson, Mondo Digital

“Teenage Zombies is only 70 minutes long, but that’s not exactly indicative of a breezy watch when it comes to awful films from this period. Manos was shorter, and we all know what kind of a ride that movie is! But thankfully, this move is never boring, and it gets into gear very quickly.” Not This Time, Nayland Smith

” …Teenage Zombies is a lot of good, dopey fun. It’s never even close to scary and very much a product of its time but that’s half the charm of a B picture like this. Warren keeps things moving at a pretty quick pace and has a tendency to throw in a strange plot device anytime the story seems like it’s going to slow down, so we wind up with a picture that is, if not particularly logical, pretty entertaining.” Ian Jane, Rock! Shock! Pop!

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“These are the types of zombies that were usually featured in the horror films of old – mindless beings who did whatever they were called upon to do by their masters and though not as fun as the brain-eating kind, they still had a charm about them. The most enjoyable part of it all was not the terrible acting or the hammy script, but the hypnotized ape who took his revenge in the end. Though it might have faults, more than a few even, Teenage Zombies is not the worst feature film that Warren would ever produce…” The Telltale Mind

Buy Bayview Entertainment DVD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

“There are mad, unregulated scientists, Communist scare business, hunchbacks with their eyes rolled up in their head, drugged out “zombies”, awful fashions (check out Morrie and Dottie’s rolled up baggies and her perfectly hideous hairdo) and even a guy in a gorilla suit. I ask you, what’s not to love?” Third Eye Cinema

Cast and characters:

• Don Sullivan as Reg – The Giant Gila Monster; The Monster of Piedras Blancas 
• Katherine Victor as Doctor Myra – Cape Canaveral Monsters
• Steve Conte as Whorf
• J.L.D. Morrison as Brandt
• Brianne Murphy as Pam
• Paul Pepper as Skip
• Mitzie Albertson as Julie
• Jay Hawk as Morrie
• Mike Concannon as Sheriff
• Nan Green as Dotty
• Don Neeley as Major Coleman
• Mitch Evans as Gorilla
• Chuck Niles as Ivan

Running time:

73 minutes

Trivia:

Actress Brianne Murphy was married to Jerry Warren and was also the production coordinator and wardrobe supervisor. She went on to direct Blood Sabbath (1972) and become an Emmy-winning cinematographer. In 1980, she became the first female to shoot a major studio, union picture (Fatso). [Thanks to The Bloody Pit of Horror for this info.]

Wikipedia | IMDb | American Film Institute

Whole movie at the Internet Archive

Image credits: Third Eye Cinema | Wrong Side of the Art!

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‘The ‘walking dead’ are the most deadly!’

Black Magic 2 – original title: 勾魂降頭; Gou hun jiang tou – is a 1976 supernatural Hong Kong horror film directed by Ho Meng-Hua (Oily Maniac) and produced by the Shaw Brothers (Seeding a a Ghost; Inseminoid; Human Lanterns). It stars Ti Lung, Lo Lieh, Liu Hui-Ju, Lily Li and Lin Wei-Tu.

The film is a sequel to the previous year’s Black Magic, also directed by Ho Meng-Hua). It was released in the US in 1982 by World Northal as Revenge of the Zombies and proved to be a box office draw.

On 11 June 2018, Black Magic 2 is released on Blu-ray in the UK by 88 Films.

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.co.uk

Mysterious zombies run amok while baffled doctors try to find out why. The zombies vomit, melt, spontaneously combust, explode and may be abducting the local lady folk.

While the doctors look for a natural explanation the real cause appears to be supernatural…

Reviews:

‘Delivering a steady stream of bizarre and gruesome sights (including bodies infested with live wriggling worms, cursed victims dissolving into putrescence in a matter of seconds, and undead sycophants controlled via spikes driven through their heads), this offers a great introduction to HK horror, while also eerie and outlandish enough to engage those familiar with this sub-genre…‘ By John Charles

‘It’s colorfully – sometimes very stylishly – photographed, fast-paced, tasteless and often highly imaginative… and there is a ton of gore.’ Justin McKinney, The Bloody Pit of Horror

‘Black Magic 2 has everything that was great about Black Magic, only more. This means more gratuitous nudity, more gore, and more out and out nuttiness. The only thing Black Magic 2 has less of is anything resembling a logical story or even a dash of common sense.’ Coffee, Coffee and More Coffee

“Things get a little bit sluggish around the halfway point when the evil sorcerer forces the hero scientists into a black magic-fueled love triangle. But stick with it because the last half hour or so is almost as nutty as the first […] Black Magic 2 made my jaw drop numerous times throughout it’s 90 minute running time; a hearty recommendation to be sure.” Mitch Lovell, The Video Vacuum

Buy DVD Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

Release:

Released on 9 December 1976 in Hong Kong.

Wikipedia | IMDb