Horror news – updated 30 September

The latest horror and sci-fi news from around the world.

‘IT’ has now taken over half a billion dollars at the box office

Box Office Mojo figures show that Andres Muschietti’s strongly-anticipated and well-received adaptation of Stephen King’s IT has now taken a whopping $500,672,790 worldwide (on a reported budget of $35 million), which already makes it one of the most profitable horror movies of all-time. Horror movies featuring creepy and killer clowns are already rife and we can expect there to be an explosion in Pennywise knock-offs!

Meanwhile, Darren Aronofsky’s much-touted mother! has yet to recoup its reported production budget, with worldwide takings currently at $27,893,992. Flatliners (which has failed to achieve any positive reviews and is flatlining at zero percent on website Rotten Tomatoes) and Don’t Sleep (which has also garnered a negative critical reaction) opened yesterday, so it will be interesting to see how these releases are fare over the weekend. The next major genre theatrical release is Universal’s Happy Death Day on Friday the 13th October.

‘Dance Macabre’ coming to Blu-ray

Scream Factory has announced that Dance Macabre (1992), set in Moscow, starring Robert Englund and directed by Greydon Clark (Uninvited; Wacko; Without Warning; Satan’s Cheerleaders), is to be released on Blu-ray on January 23, 2018.

Michelle Zeitlin stars as Jessica, an American ballerina who reluctantly enrolls in a Russian dance academy, where she meets the charismatic choreographer Anthony (Englund). A dead ringer for Anthony’s long dead lover, Jessica becomes Anthony’s favorite student – and his personal obsession. But what should be the chance of a lifetime for Jessica becomes a living nightmare, as each of her fellow dancers is brutally murdered…

Meanwhile, here’s the low-quality VHS trailer:

Welcome to ‘Circus Kane’ with three clips

Circus Kane is released on DVD on October 10th via Uncork’d Entertainment and DeInstitutionalized. Directed by Christopher Ray (Shark Week; Mega Shark vs. Kolossus; 2-Headed Shark Attack) from a screenplay by James Cullen Bressack (To Jennifer; Pernicious; Blood Lake) and Zack Ward (Bethany; Restoration), the movie has been reviewed positively by Horrorpedia

The notorious and disgraced circus master, Balthazar Kane, invites an unsuspecting group of social media stars to the revival of his Circus Kane by promising $250,000 to any of them who can make it through the night. Kane’s true plan quickly proves to be far more sinister as the contestants realize more than money is on the line. The group must fight for their lives to escape Kane’s demented house of horrors…

New teaser trailer for ‘It Came from the Desert’

It Came from the Desert is a 2017 Finnish-British science fiction horror film directed by Marko Mäkilaakso from a screenplay co-written with Hank Woon Jr. and actor Trent Haaga (star of the Killjoy movies). The Roger! Pictures production stars Mark Arnold, Vanessa Grasse and Harry Lister Smith.

The film is based on the 1989 Cinemaware game for Commodore Amiga home computers that was itself inspired by Them!, the 1954 monster movie about giant ants.

The film is now in post-production for a late 2017 release by Raven Banner.

‘Piranha II: The Spawning’ unleashed on Blu-ray in January 2018

Scream Factory has announced that Piranha II: The Spawning (1981) will be released as a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray on January 30, 2018. Extras have yet to be confirmed but the transfer will obviously be HD and in the correct aspect ratio.

The film marked the directorial debut of James Cameron (Aliens; The Terminator). It stars Tricia O’Neil, Steve Marachuk, and Lance Henriksen.

While investigating the mysterious death of a diver, scuba instructor Anne Kimbrough (Tricia O’Neil) makes a horrific discovery: Piranha-like fish, with wings that enable them to fly, are responsible for the death. As the body count rises, Anne desperately tries to convince the manager of the resort to call off the annual fish fry on the beach, but he’s determined to give his guests the ultimate feeding frenzy.

‘Annabelle: Creation’ Blu-ray details

Annabelle: Creation is released digitally on October 20 and on Blu-ray + DVD on October 24 via Warner Bros.

The smash hit movie – it has taken $296,232,196 worldwide, so far – is directed by David F. Sandberg (Lights Out) and written by Gary Dauberman (Annabelle). Our overview of the film, including a review round-up, is here

Several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a dollmaker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home, soon becoming the target of the dollmaker’s possessed creation, Annabelle…

Buy Blu-ray + DVD + Digital: Amazon.com

Special features:

• Audio commentary with director David F. Sandberg
• The Horror Continues featurette
• Directing Annabelle featurette
• Horror Shorts: Attic Panic and Coffer
• Deleted scenes

Watch ‘Z Nation’ Season Four trailer

The fourth season of  Z Nation premieres on Syfy on September 29. The new series features cameo appearances by Michael Berryman and Henry Rollins. Here’s the plot synopsis:

“Z Nation follows a team of everyday heroes, led by Lieutenant Warren (Smith), during their epic struggle to save humanity. Season 4 begins with a mind-bending jump in time. Murphy (Allan) and Warren find themselves alive in Zona, the zombie-free playground for billionaires. Meanwhile, the rest of our heroes are fighting alongside the last of the humans against the mutated Zombie Virus and the unkillable MAD-Z’s.

Warren’s mysterious dream of a black rainbow and flesh-eating black rain propels the season forward and puts our heroes in the middle of an even worse Zompocalypse. Here they will have to battle Jugalo Zombies and find the Zombified President of the United States – or at least his thumb.”

‘The Mist’ TV series has been cancelled after one season

It is being widely reported that The Mist, the 2017 TV series adaption of Stephen King’s novel, won’t be renewed for a second season. The series received mixed reviews and the Spike channel is being rebranded as Paramount Network in January.

‘Misery’ 4K Blu-ray ‘Collector’s Edition’ details unveiled

Scream Factory’s ‘Collector’s Edition 4K Blu-ray release of Misery, is released on November 28, 2017.

The 1987 film, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, was directed by Rob Reiner (Stand by Me) and written by William Goldman. James Caan, Kathy Bates, Frances Sternhagen, Richard Farnsworth, and Lauren Bacall star.

The Blu-ray special features are as follows:

• New interview with director Rob Reiner
• New interview with special makeup effects artist Greg Nicotero
• Audio commentary by Rob Reiner
• Audio commentary by screenwriter William Goldman
• Misery Loves Company” featurette
• Marc Shaiman’s Musical Misery Tour featurette
• Diagnosing Annie Wilkes featurette
• Advice for the Stalked featurette
• Profile of a Stalker featurette
• Celebrity Stalkers featurette
• Anti-Stalking Laws featurette
• Trailers

‘Scanners’ TV series in development

It is being reported that Michael Ellenberg’s Media Res and Bron Studios have acquired the  rights to David Cronenberg’s Scanners franchise and plan to develop a TV series. They are apparently searching for “a high-end filmmaker and showrunner before shopping it to premium services.” Read our article on the previous spawn of Scanners here

Dare you enter Kim Newman’s ‘Video Dungeon’?

Kim Newman’s Video Dungeon is the first collection of film critic, film historian and novelist Kim Newman’s full reviews of the best and worst ‘B’ movies, inspired by his legendary Empire column of the same name, which appears every month in the UK’s largest film specialty magazine.

With themed chapters covering new films and re-releases, from After Death to Zombie Shark, from 1915’s Les Vampires to 2016’s The Shallows, over 500 of the cheapest, trashiest, goriest and, occasionally, unexpectedly good films released for the home entertainment market are covered here, torn apart and stitched back together again in Kim’s unique style. The Titan book is a whopping 608 pages!

Buy Video Dungeon: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.ca

Teaser trailer for Alex Garland’s sci-fi thriller ‘Annihilation’ arrives

Based on Jeff VanderMeer’s best-selling trilogy of Southern Reach novels, Alex (Ex Machina) Garland’s surreal sci-fi thriller is released on February 23, 2018 by Paramount. It stars Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny and Oscar Isaac.

In Annihilation, a biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature simply don’t apply…

‘Jigsaw’ will be released in IMAX and has a new poster

Jigsaw is directed by Michael and Peter Spierig (Undead; Daybreakers; Predestination) and scripted by Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger, the writing team behind Sorority Row; Piranha 3D and Piranha 3DD.

Saw veteran villain John Kramer is once again be played by Tobin Bell (Belzebuth; Dark House). He is joined by Mandela Van Peebles, Shaquan Lewis, Laura Vandervoort (Bitten; Goosebumps), Brittany Allen (It Stains the Sand Red), Matt Passmore, Hannah Emily Anderson (Lizzie Borden Took an Ax), Josiah Black, Michael Boisvert, Callum Keith Rennie, and James Gomez.

Jigsaw is released on October 27.

‘Cute Little Buggers’ has a new trailer

Somewhere in the depths of space, aliens are watching the earth and planning their attack. Unaware of the impending danger, the locals of a sleepy English village are preparing for their summer festival. The aliens launch their offensive by mutating the local rabbit population, and when the furry demons are released, the body count starts to pile up as blood, guts, and fur flies in all directions as the humans fight off the alien threat.

Featuring genre icon Caroline Munro (Maniac) and from Tony Jopia, director of Crying Wolf , comes Cute Little Buggers – crash-landing on VOD Nov 7 from Uncork’d Entertainment.

Three new clips of ‘Jeepers Creepers 3’ online

First ‘Pacific Rim Uprising’ poster arrives

Pacific Rim: Uprising is a 2018 American 3D action sci-fi film directed by Steven S. DeKnight (his feature film directorial debut) from a screenplay by Jon Spaihts (Prometheus) based on characters created by Travis Beacham and Guillermo del Toro.

Set a decade after the events of the first Pacific Rim, the sequel opens in theaters, RealD 3D, and IMAX on March 23, 2018 via Universal. It stars John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Cailee Spaeny, Adria Arjona, Jing Tian, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, and Burn Gorman.

Experience Mark Duplass’ creep character in the ‘Creep 2’ trailer

Creep 2 is a 2017 American horror thriller directed by Patrick Brice from a screenplay co-written with Mark Duplass, who also stars, alongside Desiree Akhavan. The film is a sequel to Brice’s well-received 2014 film Creep.

Distribution company The Orchard is releasing Creep 2 on all digital platforms on October 24, 2017 before a Netflix release later in the year.

‘The Green Slime’ is coming… to Blu-ray

The Warner Archive Collection is unleashing sci-fi monster madness The Green Slime onto Blu-ray on October 10, 2017.

The 1968 science-fiction film was produced by MGM and shot in Japan at the Toei Company studios by director Kinji Fukasaku (Message from Space). It stars Robert Horton, Luciana Paluzzi and Richard Jaeckel.

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

John Carpenter’s classic ‘Halloween’ re-released theatrically

Seminal slasher movie Halloween (1978) is being released theatrically around the world next month. An exclusive retrospective interview with director John Carpenter will be shown prior to the remastered, restored film.

Screenings are scheduled to take place in Canada, Australia, Ireland, Germany, the UK and the USA. The list of dates and locations are at SpectiCast, with more dates to be added.

‘Underworld’ TV series in development

Len Wiseman’s production company Sketch Films is developing an Underworld TV series based on his action-horror movie franchise, it has been widely reported. Commenting, Wiseman, who co-wrote and directed the first two and produced the remaining three Underworld films, has said:

“The series will be a pretty big departure from the films. I don’t want to say it’s more adult, but it’s definitely less comic book in its tone and character.”

Wiseman will executive produce the TV series in conjunction with Lakeshore Entertainment’s Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi and Eric Reid.

NSFW trailer for ‘The Basement’ online

The Basement is a 2017 American horror film produced and directed by Brian Conley and Nathan Ives. It stars Mischa Barton, Jackson Davis and Cayleb Long.

A Los Angeles serial killer known as The Gemini (Jackson Davis) is torturing and killing his victims in the dungeon-like basement of his San Fernando Valley home.

Gemini has already claimed seven victims, all of whom he maimed and decapitated with a blowtorch, but Craig Owen (Cayleb Long), the famed musician whom Gemini has chosen for his eighth victim, and Craig’s beautiful wife Kelly (Mischa Barton) prove every bit the killer’s equal in the art of psychological warfare…

‘House III: The Horror Show’ Special Edition Blu-ray coming from Arrow Video

Produced by Sean S. Cunningham (Friday the 13th) and directed by James Isaac (Jason X), House III: The Horror Show was hacked by the US censors for its gratuitous gore – now lovingly reinstated for this definitive release from Arrow Video.

Sadistic serial killer Max Jenke was sent to the electric chair for his heinous crimes… now he’s really mad! Vowing revenge on Lucas McCarthy (Lance Henriksen), the detective who apprehended him, Meat Cleaver Max returns from beyond the grave to launch a whole new reign of terror.

On 11 December, 2017, House III: The Horror Show is released on Blu-ray in the UK by Arrow Video with the following special features:

• Uncut European Version
• Alternate US Theatrical Version
• High Definition Blu-ray presentation
• Original Stereo and DTS-HD MA 5.1 Audio Options
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary with producer Sean S. Cunningham
• The Show Must Go On interview with actor/stuntman Kane Hodder
• House Mother interview with actress Rita Taggart
• Slaughter, Inc. brand new featurette with special make-up effects creators Robert Kurtzman, Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger
• Behind-the-Scenes Footage
• Workprint Footage
• Theatrical Trailer
• Still Gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Justin Osbourn

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.co.uk

‘The Limehouse Golem’ unleashed on Blu-ray and DVD

On December 26, 2017, Lionsgate is releasing The Limehouse Golem on Blu-ray and DVD in the UK.

The film, an adaptation of Peter Ackroyd’s 1994 murder mystery novel Dan Leno and the Limehouse Golem, stars Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, and Douglas Booth

A serial killer is plaguing the streets of London. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Cree (Olivia Cooke), a former music hall performer, is charged with the murder of her husband.

Detective Kildare (Bill Nighy) must tackle both these cases, learning about Elizabeth’s strange life, her relationship with fellow performer Dan Leno (Douglas Booth), and the beliefs of the locals of Limehouse that a fabled Yiddish monster is to blame for the killings…

Read a host of reviews of The Limehouse Golem here

Buy Blu-ray or DVD: Amazon.co.uk

Actress Susan Farmer has died

It was announced today that Suzan Farmer, the English film and television actress, died on 17 September 2017, aged seventy-five.

Suzan Farmer had lead roles in several Hammer films of the 1960s, including The Devil-Ship Pirates (1964), Dracula, Prince of Darkness (1966), and Rasputin – the Mad Monk (1966). She also appeared in the Die, Monster, Die! (1965) starring Boris Karloff, and Tyburn’s Persecution with Lana Turner and Ralph Bates.

Her many television appearances included the ‘Target Generation’ episode of Out of the Unknown (1969), UFO (1971) and the ‘Jack Be Nimble’ episode of supernatural series Leap in the Dark (1980).

New poster and images from ‘The Exorcist’ Season Two

Episode 2.01 – “Janus” – of The Exorcist will be shown on the Fox channel on September 29, 2017.

Father Tomas Ortega (Alfonso Herrera) and the now-collarless Marcus Keane (Ben Daniels) out of Chicago and on the road, searching out evil. Across the Atlantic, Father Bennett (Kurt Egyiawan) attempts to weed out those within The Vatican who have turned against God.

Ultimately, Tomas and Marcus are led to Andrew Kim (John Cho), a former child psychologist who runs a group home for five at-risk foster children on a secluded private island off the coast of Seattle. When one of the children under Andrew’s care is targeted by a powerful force, the two priests head west, setting themselves on a collision course with Hell.

‘Jeepers Creepers 3’: new trailer, clip and disc news

A new trailer for Jeepers Creepers 3 is online and a US home video release, on Blu-ray and DVD, is slated for December 26, 2017.

‘Happy Death Day’ has a new trailer

Released Friday the 13th October by Blumhouse/Universal, Happy Death Day has a new trailer. The horror mystery movie is directed by Christopher Landon (Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse; Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones) based on a script co-written with Scott Lobdell. It stars Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard and Ruby Modine.

College student Tree (Jessica Rothe) must relive the same day over and over again in a time-loop until she figures out who murdered her and why…

New poster for Darren Aronosky’s ‘mother!’ plays on its positive/negative reviews

As we are all aware, Darren Aronosky’s mother! has provoked polar opposite reactions, with those that either love it and those that loathe it. A new Paramount poster (below) aims to bait potential audiences into attended the movie based on the controversy it has engendered. The Protozoa Pictures production stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem and Ed Harris.

‘Day of the Dead: Bloodline’ rated ‘R’ by MPAA

Distributed by Saban Films, Day of the Dead: Bloodline has just been given an R-rating by the MPAA for “bloody violence and gore, language and brief sexuality/nudity.” The fact that Saban Films has submitted the film to the MPAA means that their mooted 2017 theatrical release in the US means more likely (although a date has yet to be confirmed).

Trailer for Netflix’s ‘1922’ Stephen King adaptation arrives

1922 is a 2017 Netflix horror film written and directed by Zak Hilditch, based on the 2010 Stephen King novella of the same title. It stars Thomas Jane, Molly Parker and Dylan Schmid.

The film will premiere on Netflix on October 20, 2017. According to Movieweb, Stephen King has seen a rough cut of the movie and felt it was “super creepy” and that it “won’t leave his mind.” Read more here

‘Carrie’ (1976) returns with a 4K Blu-ray restoration release

In the UK, Arrow Video is issuing a remastered 4K Blu-ray limited to 5,000 units of Carrie (1976) on December 11, 2017.

Special features:

• Optional subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Commentary by Lee Gambin, author of Nope, Nothing Wrong Here: The Making of Cujo, and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, author of Cultographies: Ms. 45 and Devil’s Advocates: Suspiria, recorded exclusively for this release
• Brand-new visual essay comparing the various versions and adaptations of Carrie across the years
• Acting Carrie, archive featurette containing interviews with director Brian De Palma, actors Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, William Katt and others
• More Acting Carrie, additional interviews with the cast of the film • Visualising Carrie: From Words to Images, archive featurette containing interviews with De Palma, writer Lawrence D. Cohen, editor Paul Hirsch and art director Jack Fisk • Singing Carrie: Carrie the Musical, archive featurette on the stage musical adaptation of King’s novel
• Writing Carrie, an interview with writer Lawrence D. Cohen • Shooting Carrie, an interview with cinematographer Mario Tosi
• Cutting Carrie, an interview with editor Paul Hirsch • Casting Carrie, an interview with casting director Harriet B. Helberg
• Bucket of Blood, an interview with composer Pino Donaggio
• Horror’s Hallowed Grounds, a look back at the locations of Carrie
• Gallery
• Trailer
• TV spots
• Radio spots
• Carrie trailer reel
• Limited edition 60-page booklet featuring new writing on the film by Neil Mitchell, author of Devil’s Advocates: Carrie, and numerous reprints and interviews

‘The Premonition’ receiving a British Blu-ray release

On 4 December 2017, Arrow Video is releasing The Premonition on Blu-ray in the UK.

The Premonition is a strange 1975 American horror film produced and directed by Robert Allen Schnitzer from a screenplay co-written with Anthony Mahon. It stars Richard Lynch, Sharon Farrell and Danielle Brisebois.

Andrea (Sharon Farrell), a demented young mother kidnaps Janie, her six-year-old daughter, from the middle-class couple that adopted her. She also begins insinuating herself into the mind of Sherry, the adoptive mother…

Read reviews here

• Audio commentary with director-producer Robert Allen Schnitzer
• Brand new interview with composer Henry Mollicone
• Interview with actor Richard Lynch
• Three Robert Allen Schnitzer short films: Vernal Equinox , Terminal Point and A Rumbling in the Land
• 4 Peace Spots
• Trailers and TV Spots

‘The Endless’ trailer is now online

The Endless is a 2017 indie mystery horror film directed by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson, based on a screenplay by the latter. It stars Callie Hernandez, Tate Ellington and Emily Montague.

Two brothers return to the cult they fled from years ago to discover that the group’s beliefs may be more sane than they once thought…

Currently on the festival circuit, Well Go USA will release The Endless in 2018. To read reviews click here

‘Mayhem’ release date and new poster

Mayhem is a 2017 comedy horror action film directed by Joe Lynch (Knights of Badassdom; Wrong Turn 2: Dead Again); Chillerama “Zom-B-Movie” segment) from a screenplay by Matias Caruso.

The film stars Steven Yuen (The Walking Dead), Samara Weaving (The Babysitter; Monster Trucks; Ash vs Evil Dead) and Steven Brand (Demons; Teen Wolf; Echoes).

Derek Cho (Steven Yeun) is having a really bad day. After being unjustly fired from his job, he discovers that the law firm’s building is under quarantine for a mysterious and dangerous virus. Chaos erupts throughout the office as the victims of the disease begin acting out their wildest impulses. Joining forces with a former client (Samara Weaving) who has a grudge of her own, Derek savagely fights tooth and nail to get to the executives on the top floor and settle the score once and for all…

Mayhem will be released in theaters and on VOD and Digital HD November 10, 2017.

Watch ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 8 “War Can’t Be Fought Alone” Promo

Watch first episode of ‘Channel Zero: No-End House’ free online

Channel Zero‘s second season is based on Brian Russell’s The No-End House and is directed by Steven Piet. Syfy have posted the first episode on YouTube for online perusal.

A young woman named Margot Sleator (Amy Forsyth) visits the No-End House, a bizarre house of horrors that consists of a series of increasingly disturbing rooms. When she returns home, Margot realizes everything has changed… [read more]

Bernie Casey, football star turned actor and poet, dies at 78

Bernard Casey was an American actor, poet, and former professional football player. He began his acting career in 1969 with roles in westerns, crime and action movies, most notably as CIA agent Felix Leiter opposite Sean Connery in the James Bond spy thriller Never Say, Never Again (1983).

Casey also appeared in a number of horror and sci-fi movies: Gargoyles (as the lead gargoyle, 1972), Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde (1976), The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), It Happened at Lakewood Manor aka Ants! (TV movie, 1977), John Carpenter’s In the Mouth of Madness (1995) and, his final film role, in Fred Williamson’s Vegas Vampires (2007).

‘Cult of Chucky’ clips available to watch online

Cult of Chucky is released by Universal on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD on October 3, 2017 and will also be available on Netflix too. The film has had very favourable reviews. Read our round-up of 20 reviews here

‘Amityville: The Awakening’ finally being released…

To paraphrase: ‘Every film release has a history. This one has a legend.’

Horrorpedia first covered Amityville: The Awakening way back on 17 June 2013, before production began in 2014. Directed by Franck Khalfoun (Maniac remake) from a screenplay by Casey La Scala (The Remaining) and Daniel Farrands (The Tooth Fairy storyline, The Haunting in Connecticut producer), the movie was initially known as Amityville: The Re-Awakening and The Amityville Horror: The Lost Tapes. Titles and concepts change though. And so did the release date.

The film was originally due for release by Dimension Films on January 2, 2015. However, its release was pushed back and back. For several months, it was scheduled to be released in January 2017 but this was rescheduled to June 29, 2017 and then cancelled.

Now, finally, Bloody Disgusting is reporting that Amityville: The Awakening “will debut exclusively for free for a limited time on Google Play, starting October 12, and will also be released by Dimension Films in select theaters on October 28.”

A new trailer and a clip have been released:

And, since we initially reported on this official movie, a plethora of unofficial Amityville-related films have appeared on Horrorpedia. Check this lot out!

‘Deathdream’ out soon on remastered Blu-ray

Buy Blu-ray + DVD: Amazon.com

Deathdream – aka Dead of Night and The Night Andy Came Home – is a 1972 Canadian horror film produced and directed by Bob Clark (Black Christmas; Murder By Decree) from a screenplay by Alan Ormsby. The plot was inspired by the W.W. Jacobs short story The Monkey’s Paw.

The gritty film stars Richard Backus, John Marley (The Dead Don’t Die) and Lynn Carlin. A young Tom Savini handled the special effects makeup, apparently aided by Ormsby.

Deathdream is released as a limited edition 2k Blu-ray/DVD combo pack on November 28, 2017, by Blue Underground. It has been restored from the 35mm negative in the most complete version available. Special features are:

• Audio commentary with co-producer/director Bob Clark
• Audio commentary with writer Alan Ormsby
• A recollection with actress Anya Liffey and writer Alan Ormsby
• Interview with composer Carl Zittrer
• Interview with production manager John Bud Cardos
• Interview with actor Richard Backus
• Tom Savini: The Early Years
• Alternate opening titles
• Theatrical trailer
• Still galleries
• Alan Ormsby student film
• Collectable booklet with new essay by critic Travis Crawford

Buy Blu-ray + DVD: Amazon.com

‘Gerald’s Game’ is coming soon – read first reviews

The Netflix movie adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name will debut on September 29, 2017. Gerald’s Game is directed by Mike Flanagan (Ouija:Origin of Evil; Hush; Before I Wake; Oculus; Absentia) from a screenplay co-written with Jeff Howard.

The Intrepid Pictures film stars Carla Gugino (The Unborn), Bruce Greenwood, Henry Thomas (Ouija:Origin of Evil; Don’t Look Up; Dead Birds) Carel Struycken (Revamped; The Addams Family; Servants of Twilight ), Kate Siegel (Ouija:Origin of Evil; Demon Legacy), and Chiara Aurelia.

Once again, Jessie Burlingame (Gugino) has been talked into submitting to her husband, Gerald’s, kinky sex games—something that she’s frankly had enough of, and they never held much charm for her to begin with. So much for a “romantic getaway” at their secluded summer home [read first reviews here]

‘Black Christmas’ comes to Blu-ray in the UK

Buy Blu-ray + DVD: Amazon.co.uk

On 6 November, 2017, proto slasher Black Christmas is released in the UK as a dual format Blu-ray + DVD by 101 Films.

Black Christmas – also released as Silent Night, Evil Night – is a 1974 Canadian slasher horror film directed by Bob Clark (Deathdream; Murder by Decree) from a screenplay by A. Roy Moore.

The film follows a group of college students who must face a deranged serial killer lurking in their sorority house. The movie was inspired by an urban legend called “The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs“, but was also largely based on a series of murders that took place in Quebec, Canada around Christmas time. It is generally considered to be one of the first North American slasher films.

Extras include:

• Audio Commentary with director Bob Clark
• Audio Commentary with actors John Saxon and Keir Dullea
• Audio Commentary with Billy (actor Nick Mancuso)
• Audio interview with director Bob Clark
• NEW Film and Furs – Remembering Black Christmas with Art Hindle
• NEW Victims and Virgins – Remembering Black Christmas with Lynne Griffin
• Black Christmas Legacy
• 40th Anniversary Panel at FanExpo 2014 featuring John Saxon, Art Hindle, Lynne Griffin & Nick Mancuso
• On Screen!: Black Christmas featurette
• 12 Days of Black Christmas featurette
• Black Christmas Revisited featurette
• Archival Interviews with Olivia Hussey, Art Hindle, Margot Kidder, Bob Clark, & John Saxon
• Midnight Screening Q&A with Bob Clark, John Saxon and Carl Zittrer
• Original Theatrical Trailers (English and French)

Buy Blu-ray + DVD: Amazon.co.uk

Teaser trailer arrives for ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’

Oddball British comedy horror musical Anna and the Apocalypse is directed by John McPhail and stars Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming and Sarah Swire.

When the zombie apocalypse hits the sleepy town of Little Haven – at Christmas – teenager Anna (Ella Hunt) and her high school friends have to fight, sing and dance to survive, with the undead horde all around them.

Teaming up with her best friend John (Malcolm Cumming), Anna has to fight her way through zombified snowmen, Santas, elves and Christmas shoppers to get across town to the high school, where they’ll be safe… [read more]

‘Land of the Dead’ and ‘Dawn of the Dead’ (2004): Blu-ray specs revealed

Scream Factory has confirmed the specs for George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead (2005) and Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead (2004), both of which are released on October 31 as two-disc Blu-ray collector’s editions featuring both the theatrical and uncut versions.

Each film is transferred from new high-def masters; Land from a 2K scan of the interpositive, and Dawn from the the digital intermediate archival negatives.

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

Land of the Dead Disc 1 (Theatrical Version) special features:

• Cholo’s Reckoning – Interview with actor John Leguizamo (new)
• Charlie’s Story – Interview with actor Robert Joy (new)
• The Pillsbury Factor – Interview with actor Pedro Miguel Arce (new)
• Four of the Apocalypse – Interview with actors Eugene Clark, Jennifer Baxter, Boyd Banks and Jasmin Geljo (new)
• Dream of the Dead – Director’s cut with optional commentary by director Roy Frumkes
• Deleted footage from Dream of the Dead
• Deleted Scenes
• Theatrical Trailer

Land of the Dead Disc 2 (Unrated Version) special features:

• Audio commentary with zombie performers Matt Blazi, Glena Chao, Michael Felsher and Rob Mayr (new)
• Audio commentary with writer/director George A. Romero, producer Peter Grunwald and editor Michael Doherty
• Undead Again: The Making of Land of the Dead
• Bringing The Dead To Life
• Scenes of Carnage
• Zombie Effects: From Green Screen to Finished Scene
• Scream Test – CGI test
• Bringing the Storyboards to Life
• A Day with the Living Dead hosted by John Leguizamo
• When Shaun Met George

In a harrowing vision of a post-apocalyptic world, zombies have turned all but a few fortified cities into desolate wasteland. Behind city walls, pockets of humanity cling to survival in a brutal society built by a handful of enterprising, ruthless opportunists like Kaufman (Dennis Hopper), who insulate themselves in high-rise towers and employ a band of mercenaries led by Riley (Simon Baker) to scavenge the countryside for food and other necessities, while the poor fend for themselves. When the previously mindless, slow-moving zombies begin to evolve into cunning, crafty killers and organize for a final catastrophic attack, a group of hardened mercenaries is called into action to protect the living from an army of the dead, even as they battle a rogue mercenary (John Leguizamo) who threatens the existence of their safe haven.

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

Dawn of the Dead (2004) Disc 1 (Theatrical Version) special features:

• Take a Chance on Me – Interview with actor Ty Burrell (new)
• Gunn for Hire – Interview with writer James Gunn (new)
• Punk, Rock & Zombie – Interview with actor Jake Weber
• Killing Time at the Mall: The Special Effects of Dawn of the Dead – Interview with special makeup effects artists David Anderson and Heather Langenkamp Anderson (new)
• Deleted scenes with optional commentary by director Zach Snyder and producer Eric Newman
• Theatrical trailer
• Still gallery

Dawn of the Dead (2004) Disc 2 (Unrated Version) special features:

• Audio commentary with director Zach Snyder and producer Eric Newman
• Splitting Headaches: Anatomy of Exploding Heads
• Attack of the Living Dead
• Raising the Dead
• Andy’s Lost Tape
• Special Report: Zombie Invasion
• Undead and Loving It: A Mockumentary
• Drawing the Dead featurette
• Storyboard comparisons
• Hidden Easter egg

The world is in danger when a mysterious virus turns people into mindless, flesh-eating zombies. In a mall in the heartland, a handful of survivors wage a desperate, last-stand battle to stay alive … and human!

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‘The Devil’s Rain’ is unleashed on Blu-ray and DVD by Severin Films

On October 31, 2017, Severin Films is releasing The Devil’s Rain (1975) on high-definition Blu-ray. Here’s their Hellishly hyperbolic press release:

“Take an all-star cast including William Shatner, Ernest Borgnine, Eddie Albert, Keenan Wynn, Tom Skerritt, Ida Lupino and even John Travolta in his movie debut at their most hellishly over-the-top.

Add one of the most visually inventive filmmakers of the era director Robert Fuest, of The Abominable Dr. Phibes fame and thrust them into an insane tale of rural occult carnage, featuring Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey as Technical Advisor.

Watch in infernal awe as it all hurtles towards the most eye-popping, flesh-melting finale in grindhouse history.

Now experience this devilishly infamous classic as you’ve never seen or heard it before, restored in HD for the first time ever and oozing with all-new extras approved by Lucifer himself!

• Audio Commentary With The Devil’s Rain Director Robert Fuest
• Confessions Of Tom – Interview With Actor Tom Skerritt
• The Devil’s Makeup – Interview With Special FX Artist Tom Burman
• 1975 Archive Interview With Actor William Shatner
• First Stop Durango – Interview With Script Supervisor Ana Maria Quintana
• Consulting with the Devil – A Conversation with the High Priest & High Priestess of the Church of Satan
• Hail Satan! – Interview With Anton LaVey Biographer Blanche Barton
• Filmmaker / Horror Collector Daniel Roebuck On The Devil’s Rain
• On Set Polaroid Gallery Of Script Supervisor Ana Maria Quintana Accompanied By Radio Spots
• Poster/Still Gallery
• TV Spots
• Theatrical Trailer

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

Read Horrorpedia’s coverage, including half a dozen reviews, of this 1970s horror-exploitation movie here

Darren Aronosky’s ‘mother!’ continues to divide critics and audiences

There can be no doubt that Darren Aronofsky’s mother! movie, which stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem and Ed Harris, has polarised critics and audiences. It’s had many rave reviews but some terrible audience feedback responses and poor box office. Paramount have responded with a new TV spot that tries to capitalise on the divisive response mother! has engendered:

A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence… [read a critical round-up here]

“Evil has a new home” in first trailer for ‘The Exorcist’ Season 2

In this new trailer, Jeremy Slater, Ben Daniels, Alfonso Herrera, and John Cho talk about the characters and what to expect on the new season of The Exorcist, premiering on September 29 on Fox.

“Six months after leaving Chicago, Father Tomas continues his training to become an exorcist under the watchful eye of his partner Marcus Keane. Their travels lead them to a troubled young woman in rural Montana, where their investigation puts them in the crosshairs of her extended family. But as Tomas’ skills continue to grow, Marcus begins to worry that his apprentice is taking unnecessary risks.”

“The action then switches to a secluded private island off the coast of Seattle, where Andy Kim (John Cho, Star Trek) runs a group home for at-risk foster children, whose lives are disrupted when the state sends a social worker (Li Jun Li) to determine whether the foster home should be closed. Little do they know the true danger is yet to come: a malevolent presence that has set its sights upon one of the children in Andy’s care.”

The main Season Two cast includes Alfonso Herrera as Father Tomas Ortega; Ben Daniels as Father Marcus Keane; John Cho as Andy Kim; Kurt Egyiawan as Father Bennett; Brianna Hildebrand as Verity; Zuleikha Robinson as Mouse; and Li Jun Li as Rose.

Experience live performance at The London Horror Festival

The London Horror Festival Horror returns “for a 7^th year to thrill and chill audiences over three weeks this Halloween season. The UK’s original and largest festival of live horror performance returns to the Old Red Lion Theatre in Angel, Islington, from Sunday 15th October – Saturday 4th November 2017 following the great success of 2016.

With official sponsorship from Hobgoblin, ‘the unofficial beer of Halloween’, and horror artist Jessica F. Holt, this annual celebration of the horror genre is going strong and 2017 is  their biggest line-up yet with an eclectic programme of 23 different shows on offer.

The London Horror Festival works to promote new and innovative work in the arts, support London fringe theatre and is dedicated to providing a platform for artists and companies working in the horror genre. This year promises a mix of theatre, puppetry, cabaret, spoken word, body horror, clowning and comedy, featuring satanic cults, mummies, zombies, ghosts, vampires and the bodies of Frankenstein!

Shows to look forward to include 5 star horror comedy ‘Curse of the Mummy’ from Last Chance Saloon, fresh from their Edinburgh triumph, fellow 5 star fringe successes ‘The Twins Macabre’, The Underground Clown Club returning with the 5 star ‘Knock Knock’ followed by their new show ‘Who’s There?’, and reworkings of classic tales including a comic adaptation H.P. Lovecraft’s ‘The Shadow Over Innsmouth’ by Hidden Basement Productions and a gender-switched version of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ by critically-acclaimed Evcol Entertainment.” (from press release)

Full lineup details are on the festival website

The Year’s Best Body Horror 2017 Anthology

“C.P. Dunphey, critically acclaimed author of Plane Walker, has collected forty-plus stories from the best up-and-coming authors in horror for Gehenna & Hinnom’s debut collection, The Year’s Best Body Horror 2017 Anthology. From Bram Stoker Award-nominated authors like James Dorr, to bestselling science fiction authors like David Beers, the anthology presents no shortage of entertaining visceral horror.

From tales of infectious diseases rotting flesh to cosmic horror stories of perversion and
mysticism, horror readers of all audiences will love this collection.”

Buy on Kindle via Amazon.com

Syfy’s ‘Tremors’ reboot is taking shape

Deadline reports that Emily Tremaine, Megan Ketch (American Gothic) and Shiloh Fernandez (Evil Dead) will headline alongside Kevin Bacon in the upcoming Syfy Tremors pilot. The project, which is being produced by Jason Blum’s Blumhouse TV and Universal Cable Productions is a reboot of the 1990 cult classic film, with original star Kevin Bacon reprising his original role.

Directed by Vincenzo Natali (Splice; Cube) and written by Andrew Miller, the reboot shows that the killer Graboid worms that nearly destroyed the small town of Perfection, twenty-five years ago are back. The town people’s only hope for survival is Valentine McKee (Kevin Bacon), who beat them once. However, Valentine will have to overcome his age, alcohol addiction and a delusional hero complex…

Toulon’s Trunk: The Ultimate ‘Puppet Master’ Box Set

A replica of the mystical Andre Toulon’s travelling case in the Puppet Master franchise, Toulon’s Trunk is a stunning wood and metal-forged box set containing all 11 official Puppet Master films remastered on Blu-ray as well as a bonus disc, a mini Blade figure (more mini figures will be released this year to add to the collection), collectible booklet, startling new cover artwork for each film, and much more!

The first 100 copies of Toulon’s Trunk will be available for pre-sale on October 2, 2017, (personally signed and numbered by Charles Band) exclusively at FullMoonDirect.com

‘Attack of the Killer Tomatoes’ gets a Blu-ray release!

Kitsch cult sci-fi horror comedy Attack of the Killer Tomatoes will be released as a Blu-ray + DVD combo pack on January 23, 2018 via MVD’s new Rewind Collection line. The Special Edition release will come packaged with a collectible poster.

The 1978 movie was directed by John DeBello and stars David Miller, George Wilson, Sharon Taylor, and Jack Riley. Amazingly, this seemingly one-joke spoof movie, based on an 8mm short, spawned not only one but three sequels: Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988, featuring George Clooney!), Killer Tomatoes Strike Back! (1990) and Killer Tomatoes Eat France! (1991). There was also a cartoon series, video games and even another food-related Greek spoof movie, The Attack of the Giant Moussaka (1999).

After a series of bizarre and increasingly horrific attacks from pulpy, red, seeded fruit, Mason Dixon (David Miller) finds himself leading a “crack” team of specialists to save the planet. But will they be quick enough to save everyone? To save you?

Special features:

• Audio commentary with writer/director John DeBello, writer/co-star Steve Peace, and “creator” Costa Dillon
• Legacy of a Legend – Interviews with John DeBello, Costa Dillon, film critic Kevin Thomas, fans Kevin Sharp and Bruce Vilanch, future Tomatoes mainstay John Astin, and actors Steve Peace, Jack Riley, and D.J. Sullivan
• Crash and Burn – Discussion about the film’s infamous helicopter crash
• Famous Foul – Featurette bout the San Diego Chicken and his role in the climatic tomato stomping ending
• Killer Tomatomania – Interviews with random people on the streets of Hollywood about the movie
• We Told You So! – Hard-hitting look at the conspiracy of silence surrounding the real-life horror of killer tomatoes
• Where Are They Now? featurette
• Deleted scenes
• Do They Accept Traveler’s Checks in Babusuland – Original 8mm short that inspired the film, with optional audio commentary
• Original theatrical trailer
• Radio spots

‘Rock Paper Dead’ will premiere at Nightmares Film Festival

Directed by Tom Holland (Twisted Tales; Thinner; Child’s Play; Fright Night) from a screenplay by Kerry Fleming and Victor Miller (A Stranger is Watching; Friday the 13th), Rock Paper Dead is slightly reminiscent of Holland’s own Psycho II (1983). The film’s score is by Harry Manfredini (Friday the 13th films).

The film will have its world premiere on October 21, 2017 at Nightmares Film Festival in Columbus, Ohio. Several members of the cast and creative team will be in attendance.

“Nightmares Film Festival, with its world-recognized programming, deep respect for horror tradition and lineup of truly extraordinary filmmakers is the perfect home for our world premiere,” said producer Amy Williams. “We are thrilled to debut our film where we know the audience will appreciate both the work and the legacy behind it.”

Nightmares will open October 19, 2017, with director Adam Green introducing his new Hatchet sequel, Victor Crowley, and the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre prequel, Leatherface. Festival passes are available at GatewayFilmCenter.Org

Harry Dean Stanton is dead

Actor and singer Harry Dean Stanton’s career spanned over sixty years. He appeared in films such as Cool Hand Luke, Kelly’s Heroes, Dillinger, The Godfather Part II, Alien, Escape from New York, Christine, Paris, Texas, Wild at Heart. We have a particular fondness for his laconic lines in Repo Man.

Jamie Lee Curtis returning in ‘Halloween’ (2018)

John Carpenter has posted on Facebook that Jamie Lee Curtis is returning in the 2018 Halloween reboot.

And Jamie Lee Curtis herself has posted on Twitter that it’s official.

Meanwhile, here’s a reminder of why we love the first Halloween so much!

“He is Everything” – Five new ‘Jigsaw’ posters

Jigsaw is directed by Australians Michael and Peter Spierig (Undead; Daybreakers; Predestination). The new Saw film is released on October 27, 2017 [read more]

‘Leatherface’ also has a new poster

The prequel from Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo (Inside; Livid; Among the Living), based a screenplay by Seth M. Sherwood (Black Mass), has attracted mixed reviews, although most agree it is worth viewing [read review round-up]. At least the new poster is an improvement on previous lacklustre efforts.

A Director’s Cut of ‘IT’ will be released for home viewing

Director Andy Muschietti and his producer sister, Barbara Muschietti, have revealed to Yahoo! that there will be a longer ‘Director’s Cut’ of IT released for home viewing. When asked about scenes that they left out of the theatrical version, Muschetti commented:

“There’s a great scene, it’s a bit of a payoff of the Stanley Uris plot which is the bar mitzvah, where he delivers a speech against all expectations… it’s basically blaming all the adults of Derry [for the town’s history of deadly “accidents” and child disappearances], and it has a great resolution. … Maybe it will be in the director’s cut!”. He added that there will: “probably [be] an extra 15 minutes for hardcore fans.”

Spanish trailer for ‘Jeepers Creepers 3’ shows more footage

A new Spanish trailer – with English subs – for Jeepers Creepers 3 has appeared and it shows more footage from the upcoming movie. The film itself receives a one day only theatrical showing on September 26 via Fathom Events. Meanwhile, the reignited controversy about director Victor Salva’s sordid criminal past and a potential boycott of the film by some horror fans is still igniting much online debate.

Artist and illustrator Basil Gogos has died

Basil Gogos‘ artistry is legendary. He painted them all: The Phantom of the Opera, Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, King Kong, Godzilla and The Creature from the Black Lagoon, plus the likes of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price, Lon Chaney, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. See Google images

Although he has have died, Basil Gogos’ iconic, vivid cover art for Famous Monsters of Filmland and other Warren publications such as Creepy and Eerie lives on for future generations of fans to enjoy.

In the 1990s. renewed interest in his work meant that his monster portraits appeared on trading cards, lithographs and the covers of Monsterscene magazine. He has also contributed artwork for rock acts such as Rob Zombie, The Misfits and Electric Frankenstein.

Short film “Sweet Tooth’ is being developed as a feature by New Line Cinema

First image of David Harbour as ‘Hellboy’

Hellboy is a 2018 American fantasy action horror movie and an R-rated reboot of the Hellboy franchise to be directed by Neil Marshall (The Descent; Dog Soldiers) from a screenplay by Andrew Cosby, Christopher Golden and Hellboy graphic novel creator Mike Mignola. The movie was announced as Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen.

David Harbour – seen above – (Stranger Things) is playing the titular character, Ian McShane (Pirates of the Caribbean movies; Too Scared to Scream; The Ballad of Tam Lin) is Professor Bloom and Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil) is the Blood Queen. Sasha Lane is Alice Monaghan, Penelope Mitchell is Ganeida and Daniel Dae Kim as Ben Daimio (who replaced Ed Skrein).

John Carpenter-directed video for ‘Christine’ (2017)

John Carpenter’s third album, Anthology: Movie Themes 1974 – 1998, which features revamped versions of all his greatest instrumental hits, is released on October 20, 2017. To promote the album, the director has filmed a music video for track “Christine” track. showing a red 1958 Plymouth Fury stalking and chasing actress Rita Volk. Meanwhile, our coverage of John Carpenter’s 1983 movie adaptation of Stephen King’s novel is here

‘Tragedy Girls’ has a new trailer

Tragedy Girls is a 2017 dark comedy horror movie directed by Tyler MacIntyre from a screenplay co-written with Chris Lee Hill (they previously created Patchwork). It stars Alexandra Shipp, Brianna Hildebrand and Josh Hutcherson.

Two death-obsessed teenage girls use their online show about real-life tragedies to send their small mid-west town into a frenzy and cement their legacy as modern horror legends…

‘Hellraiser’ Limited Edition Blu-ray Steelbook unleashed

Arrow Video is issuing a special Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray of Hellraiser (1987) on October 31, 2017.

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

Special features:

• Limited Edition SteelBook featuring brand new Mondo artwork by Matt Ryan Tobin
• Brand new 2K restoration of Hellraiser approved by director of photography Robin Vidgeon
• High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
• Uncompressed PCM Stereo 2.0 and Lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary with writer-director Clive Barker
• Audio commentary with Barker and actress Ashley Laurence
• Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser brand new version of the definitive documentary on the making of Hellraiser, featuring interviews with key cast and crew members
• Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellraiser actor Sean Chapman talks candidly about playing the character of Frank Cotton in Barker s original
• Soundtrack Hell: The Story of the Abandoned Coil Score Coil member Stephen Thrower on the Hellraiser score that almost was
• Hellraiser: Resurrection – vintage featurette including interviews with Clive Barker, actors Doug Bradley and Ashley Laurence, special makeup effects artist Bob Keen and others
• Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser
• Original EPK featuring on-set interviews with cast and crew
• Draft Screenplays [BD-ROM content]
• Trailers and TV Spots
• Image Gallery
• New artwork by Mondo artist Matt Ryan Tobin

Buy Limited Edition Blu-ray Steelbook: Amazon.com

Watch the red band trailer for ‘Better Watch Out’

Better Watch Out – aka Safe Neighborhood – is a 2016 Australian dark comedy horror thriller directed by Chris Peckover from a screenplay co-written with Zack Kahn. It stars Virginia Madsen, Olivia DeJonge and Patrick Warburton.

On a quiet suburban street, a babysitter must defend a twelve year-old boy from intruders, only to discover it’s far from a normal home invasion… [read more]

‘Flatliners’ has a new “Defibrillator” TV spot

Five medical students, obsessed by the mystery of what lies beyond the confines of life, embark on a daring and dangerous experiment: by stopping their hearts for short periods of time, each triggers a near-death experience – giving them a first-hand account of the afterlife. But as their experiments become increasingly dangerous, they are each haunted by the sins of their pasts, brought on by the paranormal consequences of trespassing to the other side.

Flatliners 2017 is released to theaters on September 29; the film is directed by Niels Arden Oplev from a screenplay penned by Ben Ripley [read more]

‘The Eyes of Laura Mars’ receives a limited edition Blu-ray release

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.co.uk

British-based Powerhouse Films is releasing The Eyes of Laura Mars on 20 November 2017 via their specialist Indicator label.

Irvin Kershner’s stylish, violent thriller – from an original screenplay by John Carpenter (They Live; The Thing; Halloween) – stars Faye Dunaway as glamorous fashion photographer Laura Mars, who begins to experience horrific visions when she ‘sees’ a series of brutal murders as they happen. The Indicator Blu-ray special features include:

High Definition remaster
• Original mono audio
• Audio commentary with director Irvin Kershner
• Making of documentary (1978, 7 mins)
• Eyes on Laura Mars (1999, 8 mins): on-set photography with commentary
• Original theatrical trailer
• David DeCoteau trailer commentary (2013, 4 mins): a short critical appreciation
• Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography
• New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Rebecca Nicole Williams, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and historic articles on the film
• World premiere on Blu-ray
• Limited Blu-ray Edition of 3,000 copies
• More TBC

“The Eyes of Laura Mars put an original spin on the “women in peril” plot staple by giving us Faye Dunaway as a fashion photographer disturbed by visions of real violence echoed in her flashy, S&M-influenced work. The visions start coming closer to home as her woman friends are butchered and their copies of her work vandalised.

Good-looking cop Neville (Tommy Lee Jones) argues that her art is responsible, but nonetheless starts an affair with her. Hints are dropped that the killer might be someone close to her, like obsessive ex-con driver Tommy (Brad Dourif) or her possessive ex-husband Michael (Raul Julia). Evocative scenes of 70s’ New York nightclub excess, and the strikingly perverse photographs of Helmut Newton, now create a period 70s’ flavour to this flawed psychic thriller.” Amazon.co.uk

‘Slaughter High’ is a lesson in slasher basics but new Blu-ray gets top marks

Vestron Video Collector’s Series’ upcoming release of Slaughter High, will arrive uncut for the first time on limited-edition Blu-ray from Lionsgate on October 30, 2017.

“There’s horror in the halls… lynching in the lunchroom… murder in the metal shop. Welcome to Slaughter High — where the students are dying to get out! In high school, Marty was the kid all the students teased, taunted, and tortured mercilessly.

One day, things went too far — one of their jokes backfired, disfiguring Marty for life. Now, five years later, Marty has arranged a special reunion for all his high school “friends.” The prom queen, the jock, the class clown, the rebel, and a few select others have been invited . . . and it’s going to be a gala of gore!”

Blu-ray special features include:

• Audio Commentary with Co-Writers/Directors George Dugdale and Peter Litten
• Audio Interview with Composer Harry Manfredini featuring Isolated Music and SFX Selections
• ‘Going to Pieces – Featurette with Co-Writer/Director Mark Ezra
• ‘My Days at Doddsville – Featurette with Actress Caroline Munro
• Alternate Title Sequence
• Theatrical Trailer
• Still Gallery

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

Here’s part of our Horrorpedia review: “…Slaughter High is strangely rewarding viewing. Perhaps it’s the carefree, glitch-ridden production values; perhaps it’s the contact threat of Munro relieving herself of her flouncy, voluminous dress suit (she doesn’t, instead the main nudity is, surprisingly, male and full-frontal). It’s possibly the fact that it sticks to the slasher rulebook so rigidly, the viewer can put in the least effort imaginable to watch… although the ending will jolt even the most heavy-lidded audience out of its slumber with its ridiculousness.” [read more]

‘Pyewacket’ premiere reviews are coming out of the woods

Pyewacket (2016) is a Canadian indie horror thriller in which a frustrated, angst-ridden teenage girl awakens something in the woods when she naively performs an occult ritual to evoke a witch to kill her mother. Our overview of the movie has just been updated with the first reviews from TIFF. Read more and also watch trailer

Stephen King’s ‘Suffer the Little Children’ soon to be a feature film

Previously adapted by the husband-and-wife team of director Corey Norman and writer Haley Norman as short film in 2015 (read Gruesome magazine’s review), Deadline reports that Stephen King’s short story Suffer the Little Children is being developed as feature length movie with Sean Carter (Keep Watching) apparently signed up to direct. Craig Flores, Nicolas Chartier and Sriram Das are producing.

First published in 1972, ‘Suffer the Little Children’ is “a supernatural thriller that centers on a recently divorced first-grade schoolteacher who notices some “unsettling” traits in the children in her class: flashes of a bizarre texture lurking underneath their skin and a chilling, conspiratorial secrecy to the way they play together. And now, people in her new town are dying mysteriously. Is this all just paranoia, or is something more disturbing happening to the children in this town?”

Another ‘WolfCop’ to be unleashed in the US in December

Lowell Dean’s sequel to his Canadian comedy horror movie hit WolfCop (2014) has been well-received on the festival circuit [read review round-up here]. The hairy alcoholic cop’s full moon frolics can be enjoyed once again when Another WolfCop is released by Parade Deck Films in select US theaters and on VOD from December 1, 2017.

Explore ‘The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein’ on Blu-ray

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.co.uk

British-based Nucleus Films is releasing Jesús Franco’s The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein (1972) on Blu-ray in two versions on 20 November 2017.

Cagliostro, an immortal magician with fearsome hypnotic powers, sends his murderous assistant Melissa (half woman, half bird) to kill Dr. Frankenstein and steal his Monster. He commands the creature to abduct young women whose bodies will provide material for a female counterpart: the two monsters will then copulate, creating a master race of slaves under Cagliostro’s mesmeric control!

Bending man, woman and monster to his terrifying will, Cagliostro rules an empire of passion in his castle by the sea, a place where lust and cruelty meet strange supernatural forces. As the police question the deceased Dr. Frankenstein by reviving him with his monster apparatus, his scientist daughter Vera falls under Cagliostro’s spell and agrees to build the female monster: can anything now stop the wicked mesmerist from ruling the world?

Special features:

Original 74 minute French “nude” version with choice of French or English audio and optional English subtitles

Alternate 87 minute Spanish language “clothed” version with additional Lina Romay inserts and optional English subtitles

The Rites of Franco – Featurette with Murderous Passions author Stephen Thrower

Original French trailer

Original French poster art sleeve

Copious sleeve notes by Murderous Passions author Stephen Thrower

Enjoy a ‘Red Christmas’ before Halloween

Red Christmas will be released on Blu-ray, DVD, and VOD on October 17 via Artsploitation Films. The holiday horror movie stars genre icon Dee Wallace (Cujo; The Howling; The Hills Have Eyes; et al).

Written and directed by Craig Anderson, Australian slasher Red Christmas also features Geoff Morrell (Rogue), Sarah Bishop, Janis McGavin, and David Collins. Read the review round-up here

Len Wein, co-creator of Swamp Thing and Wolverine, has died

Len Wein, the influential comics writer who co-created classic comic book characters such as DC Comics’ Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics’ Wolverine and Swamp Thing, has died aged sixty-nine. Wein is credited as helping revive the Marvel superhero team the X-Men (including the co-creation of Nightcrawler, Storm, and Colossus). Additionally, he was the editor for writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons’ influential DC Comics miniseries Watchmen.

David Bruckner’s ‘The Ritual’ – first reviews

The Ritual had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in the Midnight Madness section and the first reviews are appearing online. Like a mix of Blair Witch with The Wicker Man, this trip through a foreboding forest — starring Rafe Spall, Robert James-Collier, Arsher Ali and Sam Troughton — has bonding British blokes facing evil they wished they hadn’t encountered [read here] ‘They should have gone to Vegas’

‘IT’ smashes records with biggest horror movie opening ever

As reported by Box Office Mojo, IT “has claimed the largest September opening, largest fall opening, the largest opening for an R-rated horror film, not to mention the largest opening weekend for a horror film of any MPAA rating […] In fact, IT is already the fifth highest grossing R-rated horror film all-time after just three days in release.”

With a further $62 million taken internationally, IT has already earned $179 million worldwide. The overseas numbers include the largest opening weekend for a horror film in the UK ($12.3m), Russia ($6.7m), Australia ($5.9m), Brazil ($5.6m), Netherlands ($1.4m) and Poland ($1.15m).

Check out Horrorpedia’s overview of fifteen reviews of IT here

Funko launches ‘Rick and Morty’ Scary Terry toy

Season One of Adult Swim’s animated series Rick and Morty included a character named Scary Terry (in the episode ‘Lawnmower Dog’) that obviously parodied A Nightmare on Elm Street‘s Freddy Krueger.

Now, Funko have announced that in November, as part of their upcoming POP! vinyl Rick and Morty series, a Scary Terry toy will be available.

Recent Blu-ray, DVD and VOD releases

Notable home entertainment releases include:

Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy – Universal Blu-ray (US)

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

Be Afraid – Gilt Edge Media DVD (UK)

Buy: Amazon.co.uk

The Creep Behind the Camera + The Creeping Terror – Blu-ray (US)

Buy: Amazon.com

Creepy Clowns: The Lunatic’ler – Independent Entertainment DVD (US)

Buy DVD: Amazon.com

Dead Again in Tombstone – Universal Blu-ray | DVD (USA

Buy: Amazon.com

Dracula Untold – Universal 4K Untold HD + Blu-ray + Digital HD (US)

Buy: Amazon.com

Escape Room (Peter Dukes) – Precision Pictures DVD (UK)

Buy DVD: Amazon.co.uk

The Creeps – 88 Films Blu-ray (UK)

Buy: Amazon.co.uk

The Hatred – Lionsgate Blu-ray and DVD (US)

Buy: Amazon.com

Read our review of The Hatred here

The Hellion aka The Snare – Second Sight Films DVD (UK)

Buy DVD: Amazon.co.uk

Living Dark – Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment DVD (UK)

Buy DVD: Amazon.co.uk

Luther the Geek – 88 Films Blu-ray (UK)

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.co.uk

Minutes Past Midnight – Studiocanal DVD (UK)

Buy: Amazon.co.uk

The Mummy (2017) – Universal 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital (US)

Buy: Amazon.com

Night Gallery – Complete Series – Universal DVD (USA)

Buy: Amazon.com

Phenomena – Synapse Films 2-disc Blu-ray (US)

The Purge + The Purge: Anarchy + The Purge: Election Year 3 -Movie Collection – Blu-ray (US)

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

The Resurrected (1991) – Scream Factory Blu-ray (US)

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

Ruby (Curtis Harrington, 1977) – VCI Blu-ray + DVD (US)

Buy: Amazon.com

• 2K film transfer and restoration of original theatrical version
• 2001 David Del Valle Video Interview with director Curtis Harrington
• Commentary Track by director Curtis Harrington and actress Piper Laurie
• Sinister Image Episode – David Del Valle Interviews Curtis Harrington- Volume 1
• Sinister Image Episode – David Del Valle Interviews Curtis Harrington- Volume 2
• 2017 Commentary Track with David Del Valle and ‘Curtis Harrington’ expert – Nathaniel Bell
• Liner Notes written by Nathaniel Bell
• Original Theatrical Trailer – Restored HD
• Includes a Bonus DVD

The Stuff – Arrow Video Blu-ray or DVD (UK)

Buy: Amazon.co.uk

Visiting Hours (1982, Canada) – Final Cut Blu-ray (UK)

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.co.uk

Watch Over Us – Wild Eye Releasing VOD (North America)

When a ‘Tsunambee’ becomes a ‘Waspnado’

Buy DVD: Amazon.co.uk

British home video distributor High Fliers Films is releasing Waspnado (an obvious title take of Sharknado, of course) on DVD on 23 October 2017. No surprise there, there have been swarms of insect-related horror movies over the years.

Bizarrely, these insects seem to have miraculously changed from bees to wasps because the 2015 film is better known by its previous title, Tsunambee! Even that title makes no sense because the bees look more like wasps and there is no water-based tsunami…

‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ unleashed in 4K Ultra HD

A 25th Anniversary Sony Region A & B & C disc of Bram Stoker’s Dracula is released in the US, UK and other territories on October 3, 2017. Francis Ford Coppola’s movie stars Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins, Richard E. Grant, Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves.

Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

’48 Meters Down’ is in the works

The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that:

“Johannes Roberts is set to return to write and direct the film, based on a script he co-wrote with his collaborator on 47 Meters Down, Ernest Riera. Rising U.K. banner Fyzz Facility is again producing and financing the project, which this time will move the deadly shark action from Mexico to Brazil and follow a group of girls looking for adventure in the coastal metropolis of Recife. Hoping to get off the well-worn tourist trail, they hear about some hidden underwater ruins only to find that the turquoise waves of their secret Atlantis aren’t completely uninhabited.”

Meanwhile, 47 Meters Down is released by Lionsgate on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD on September 26, 2017.

Buy : Amazon.com

Funko’s range of ‘IT’ Pennywise POP! vinyl toys

Funko now has five different POP! vinyl toys of Bill Skarsgård’s iteration of Pennywise from this year’s IT, each one based on a different scene in the movie.

There’s “Pennywise with Teeth” (a FYE exclusive), Pennywise holding Georgie’s boat (two versions), “Pennywise with Wig” (Walmart exclusive), and “Pennywise with Balloon” (Hot Topic exclusive).

New Jason Voorhees coming to ‘Friday the 13th: The Game’

Friday the 13th: The Game will soon feature a new Jason Voorhees and map, both based on the 1984 movie Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter.

Already available digitally, Gun Media and IllFonic’s Friday the 13th: The Game has a physical launch on October 13, 2017, when it will be available  for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Physical copies will include special bloody skins for each Jason and a free pack of clothing for all of the camp counsellors. Read more and watch full-length trailers and game play here

Xavier Gens’ ‘Cold Skin’ will premiere at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival

Cold Skin is a science fiction horror film directed by Xavier Gens (The Crucifixion; The ABCs of Death, segment “X Is for XXL”; Frontier(s)) from a screenplay by Jesús Olmo (28 Weeks Later), based on a Spanish novel by Albert Sánchez Piñol. It stars David Oakes, Aura Garrido and Ray Stevenson [read more]

‘Victor Crowley’ US roadshow dates

Victor Crowley will hit select US movie theaters in October 2017 as part of Dark Sky Films’ “Victor Crowley Road Show”, wherein writer/director Adam Green (and other cast) will travel with and introduce the film at special one-night screening events across America.

Internationally, the film is slated to be shown at festivals worldwide. Read reviews of the movie here

‘The Burning’: Cavity Colors issues limited edition apparel

Until Sunday 10th September, you can buy Cropsy (from 1981 classic slasher film The Burning) seeking revenge with his lethal garden shears on the latest “Buy or Die” shirts from Cavity Colors.

Joe Dante’s ‘Matinee’ to be unleashed on Blu-ray

Matinee is released on Blu-ray on December 12 via Shout Factory’s Shout Select with cover imagery by Nathan Thomas Milliner. Special features will be announced closer to the release date.

The 1993 comedy is directed by Joe Dante (Gremlins, The Howling) and written by Charles S. Haas (Gremlins 2: The New Batch). John Goodman, Cathy Moriarty, Simon Fenton, Omri Katz, Kellie Martin, and Lisa Jakub star.

It’s 1962, and fifteen-year-old fan Gene Loomis (Simone Fenton) can’t wait for the arrival of Woolsey, who is in town to promote his latest offering of atomic power gone berserk, Mant! But the absurd vision of Woolsey’s tale takes on a sudden urgency as the Cuban Missile Crises places the real threat of atomic horror just 90 miles off the coast. With the help of Woolsey’s leading lady, Ruth (Cathy Moriarty), the master showman gives Key West a premiere they’ll never forget [read more]

Watch the trailer for ‘Dementia 13’ remake

Dementia 13 is a 2017 American horror film directed by Richard LeMay (The Dark Rite) from a screenplay by producer Dan DeFilippo (Chilling Visions: 5 States of Fear) and Justin Smith (Ominous; The Monkey’s Paw), based on Francis Ford Coppola’s 1963 film of the same name. It stars Julia Campanelli, Channing Pickett and Steve Polites [read more]

‘Silent Night, Deadly Night’ Deluxe Edition Blu-ray in the offing

The ho-ho-horror cult classic Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) is scheduled for new upgrade release:

• Official street date for the 2-Disc Blu-ray release is December 5, 2017 for U.S. and Canada territories (Region A).

• It will be branded as a “Collector’s Edition” that will come with a slipcover

• The newly-commissioned artwork pictured comes to us from artist Joel Robinson (Misery, Black Christmas). This art will be front-facing and the reverse side of the wrap will showcase the iconic original theatrical poster art design.

– NEW Slay Bells Ring: The Story of Silent Night, Deadly Night featuring interviews with writer Michael Hickey, co-executive producers Scott J. Schneid and Dennis Whitehead, editor/second unit director Michael Spence, composer Perry Botkin and actor Robert Brian Wilson

– NEW Oh Deer! An interview with Linnea Quigley

– NEW Christmas in July – Silent Night, Deadly Night Locations – then and now

– NEW audio commentary with actor Robert Brian Wilson and co-executive producer Scott J. Schneid

– Original Theatrical Trailer, TV spots and Radio Spot

– Audio Commentary by Michael Hickey, Perry Boykin, Scott J. Schneid and Michael Spence

– Audio interview with director Charles E. Sellier, Jr.

– Santa’s Stocking of Outrage

– Poster and Still Gallery

Scream Factory’s plan is to do a new 4K scan from the original camera negative and include both the original theatrical version of the film (for the first time on any home entertainment format) along with the unrated version of the film.

‘Channel Zero: Candle Cove’ coming to UK Blu-ray and DVD

Buy: Amazon.co.uk

Inspired by a Creepypasta blog post by Kris Staub, Syfy’s six-part anthology
series Channel Zero: Candle Cove was created by Nick Antosca (Hannibal) and stars Paul Schneider (The Tunnel) and Abigail Pniowsky (Arrival). It has been critically acclaimed by TV and horror fans alike and arrives for its UK home entertainment release via Second Sight Blu-ray and DVD on 9 October 2017.

Child psychologist Mike Painter is growing increasingly suspicious that children’s TV show Candle Cove may have played a role in a series of nightmarish events from his childhood, including the disappearance of his twin brother in the summer of 1988. When Mike returns home to investigate what happened all those years ago, he soon discovers that whatever caused the horror before, may be happening again [read more]

Special Features:
• Exclusive interview with creator Nick Antosca
• Deleted Scenes

Brazilian biker horror thriller Motorrad has its world premiere at TIFF

Director Vicente Amorim’s Brazilian horror/thriller Motorrad will have its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in the Contemporary World Cinema section of the festival.

The plot concerns a gang of young dirt-bikers on a ride across an isolated region of Brazil who find themselves being hunted by a machete-wielding band of motorcyclists intent on killing them all.

The movie was inspired by a dream that its producer L.G. Tubaldini Jr. had and features characters created by Marvel comic book artist Danilo Beyruth. L.G. Bayão wrote the screenplay. News source: Arrow in the Head

Read ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 8 synopsis

Season 8 of The Walking Dead will begin airing on AMC on Sunday, October 22, 2017. Here’s the AMC plot synopsis:

“Last season, Rick Grimes and his group of survivors were confronted with their deadliest challenge yet. With the comfort of Alexandria, they let their guard down, only to be reminded how brutal the world they live in can be.

Feeling powerless under Negan’s rules and demands, Rick advocated the group play along. But seeing that Negan couldn’t be reasoned with, Rick began rallying together other communities affected by the Saviors. And with the support of the Hilltop and Kingdom, they finally have enough fire power to contest the Saviors.

This season, Rick brings “All Out War” to Negan and his forces. The Saviors are larger, better-equipped, and ruthless — but Rick and the unified communities are fighting for the promise of a brighter future. The battle lines are drawn as they launch into a kinetic, action-packed offensive.

Up until now, survival has been the focus of Rick and our group, but it’s not enough. They have to fight to take back their freedom so that they can live. So that they can rebuild. As with any battle, there will be losses. Casualties. But with Rick leading the Alexandrian forces, Maggie leading the Hilltop, and King Ezekiel leading the Kingdom — Negan and the Saviors’ grip on this world may finally be coming to an end.”

‘Blood Drive’ TV series ends after First Season

Syfy has opted to cancel Blood Drive, the grindhouse-style series. James Roland, the show’s creator, announced the news on his blog:

“Unfortunately, your suspicions are correct. Syfy has canceled Blood Drive after one season. If this news makes you angry or sad, you’re not alone. I found out not too long ago, but have been trying to think of a way to tell you guys since I felt it was up to me to let the fans know.

Ultimately I decided to wait until after the final episode aired so the news did not taint your experience. It simply didn’t seem right to burst the bubble so early, especially with how the last episode plays out. We always planned for a season two, but now that the future of the show is uncertain the final scenes seem so much more … final.

If I never get the chance to tell my version of what comes next, I’ll be incredibly sad. But the good news is, then you can make up your own. The story is yours now, it always was from the first moment it was broadcast. If you love it, take it and play with it in your own imagination.

The future is not set, in our world or the world of Blood Drive.

As to the reasons why the show is cancelled, I’m not privy to all the details. Obviously the ratings were low, but it was also a very noisy show on social media (thanks to you guys!) and a very well-reviewed show with critics as well. This I do know: despite canceling us, Syfy was the only network with the steel to make the show in the first place.

When the script was making the rounds I took a LOT of meetings. Every place loved to sing its praises. One major cable network flat out told me that if they’d made the show they’d make me the showrunner, give me a larger budget, and generally suck all my parts. But guess what? They didn’t make the show, so it was easy for them to say.

It was Syfy that took the risk, and for that I’m forever grateful, even if I did get super pissy whenever I couldn’t show enough gore and dick and titties. But I’m confident they knew it was just because I’m a pervert and didn’t take it personally.

I’m bummed that Blood Drive didn’t pay off for them the way they wanted but I can’t believe we got away with a full season of the CRAZIEST show on TV. We owe them props for making all this insanity possible.”

Spanish scarefest ‘Marrowbone’ now has a trailer

Marrowbone is a 2017 horror thriller film written and directed by Sergio G. Sánchez (writer of The Orphanage) and co-produced by J.A. Bayona (director of The Orphanage) – Read more

American Gothic flies onto Blu-ray, just in time for Xmas

American Gothic (1988) is released by Scream Factory on Blu-ray on December 19, 2017. The John Hough (The Watcher in the Woods; The Legend of Hell House; Twins of Evil) directed black comedy/horror movie stars Rod Steiger (The Amityville Horror), Yvonne De Carlo (Silent Scream; The Munsters) and Michael J. Pollard.

Six young friends fly off on a weekend getaway and suddenly find themselves with engine trouble, so have no choice but to land on a remote Pacific island. Looking for shelter, they are grateful when they meet “Ma” and “Pa” and their children – an eccentric family still living in the backwoods as if it’s still the 1920s.

But what begins as simple old-school hospitality becomes a terrifying race for survival when one by one, the friends start disappearing and dying horrible deaths. Fleeing the outside world many years ago, the family has created an island domain, where all strangers are sinners – and the killing has never stopped… [read more]

Hell Night is coming as a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray + DVD combo

Hell Night – the 1981 slasher starring Linda Blair –  is being released as a 4K Scream Factory Collector’s Edition Blu-ray/DVD combo pack on December 12 with new artwork by Justin Osbourn. Extras will be announced in October…

US trailer for Norwegian supernatural horror film Thelma

A Norwegian student, Thelma, moves to Oslo where she falls in love. She soon discovers that she has inexplicable powers in this supernatural horror film directed by Joachim Trier from a screenplay co-written with Eskil Vogt. It stars Eili Harboe [read more]

More Funko Dorbz arrive for the Sci-Fi series

Following on from Funko’s POP! highly-successful vinyl line, the company has announced today Alien and Predator franchises will both form part of the Sci-Fi Dorbz series, with five different vinyl collectibles are on the way.

There will be an unmasked Predator Dorbz toy, plus a clear Predator variant (the latter exclusive to Toys R Us). The Alien Xenomorph will come as two Funko Dorbz toys: a standard version and a blood-spattered variant. Plus, an Alien Facehugger and victim will exclusively be available from Toys R Us.

New trailer for Gerald’s Game

Breaking free will require more than keeping her sanity! Based on a novel by Stephen King, Gerald’s Game is on Netflix from September 29. Read more

Canadian theatrical release for ‘The Heretics’ announced

A71 Entertainment has acquired the Canadian rights from Breakthrough Entertainment to distribute The Heretics. A71 and Breakthrough will also be partnering with Black Fawn Distribution to bring home the occult thriller to horror fans across Canada. Read more about The Heretics – directed by Chad Archibald (Bite; Ejecta; The Drownsman) – and watch the trailer here

‘Cabin 28’ trailer now online

Although it’s set in the US, and inspired by on an infamous 1981 unsolved murder case, this is a British horror flick. Read more here

Irish haunted house horror ‘The Lodgers’ has a trailer and first review

The Lodgers is a 2017 Irish gothic horror film directed by Brian O’Malley (Let Us Prey) from a screenplay by David Turpin (The Indecents) for Epic Pictures (Day of Reckoning). It stars David Bradley, Eugene Simon and Bill Milner.

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 8, 2017 [read more]

‘Insidious 4: The Last Key’ – first trailers

Like the arrival of London buses, here’s not one but two trailers for the recently re-named Insidious sequel.

For more coverage of the fourth chapter of the Insidious franchise click here

Celebrate shunting with ‘Society’ merchandise

Cavity Colors is offering a new t-shirt designed by Devon Whitehead ($26) and two enamel pins designed by Shane Murphy and Aaron Crawford ($12) with Society designs. Source: Broke Horror Fan

Wild Eye 24 Hour Movie Marathon

Wild Eye Releasing, a distributor of independent cinema since 2008, in association with Midnight Monster Movies are hosting a day of fantastic horror fun as they host a marathon of some of Wild Eye’s most popular releases.

The event, being held at the Gateway Film Center in Ohio on September 16/17, features 24 hours of the Wild Eye catalogue as well as dinner and breakfast.

With the assistance of Wild Eye president Rob Hauschild, who admits his product and practices are unapologetically based on those of B-movie legend Roger Corman, organizer (Dr.) Bob Tesla has put together a slate of genre films including Jay Woelfel’s Asylum of Darkness (with cast and crew Q&A), erotic horror-comedy The Disco Exorcist, Donald Farmer’s Shark Exorcist and Tales of Poe starring genre legends Adrienne King and Caroline Williams.

The marathon features:

Tales of Poe
Caesar & Otto’s Deadly Xmas
Frankenstein’s Hungry Dead
Dinner Break: Tailgate Dinner Buffet
Queen Crab
Bigfoot: The Movie
Shark Exorcist
Night of the Living Dead: Reanimated simultaneous double feature
Asylum of Darkness
The Disco Exorcist
Sodomaniac
Clown Kill
Badass Monster Killer

More details:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1866617836945155/
http://gatewayfilmcenter.org/24-hour-wild-eye-marathon/
http://www.wherevent.com/detail/Midnight-Monster-Movies-24-Hour-Wild-Eye-Marathon

Madballs Horror Movie Icons

Madballs are a line of new toys horror movie icons designed by Kidrobot and available exclusively at Best Buy stores.

The four inch foam balls feature Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th, Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street, Leatherface from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the Predator from Predator, the Facehugger from Alien, and a Xenomorph from Aliens. The Madballs are $9.99 each and currently only available in stores, not online. Source: Broke Horror Fan

‘Night Angel’ aka ‘Deliver Us from Evil’ coming as a Special Edition Blu-ray 

Kino Classics is releasing Dominique Othenin-Girard’s 1989 movie Night Angel aka Deliver Us from Evil as a Special Edition Blu-ray on October 24, 2017.

A terrifying centuries-old evil has awakened in the form of the wicked, voluptuous Lilith (Isa Anderson). Lilith uses her beauty and her insatiable lust as a potent lifeforce that spreads death and destruction to all who dare to succumb to her charms. Posing as a cover girl for a fashion magazine, Lilith becomes the object of insane desire for all who brave her seductive gaze.

Only true love can withstand her awesome powers and only one man (Linden Ashby) is strong enough to test them in a frightening test of will and death tango with Night Angel, the mistress of Hell.

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

The supporting cast includes Debra Feuer, Helen Martin, Doug Jones (Pan’s Labyrinth) and Karen Black (House of 1000 Corpses; Burnt Offerings; Trilogy of Terror and sequel). Night Angel was directed Dominique Othenin-Girard (Halloween 5, Omen IV: The Awakening) with a screenplay by Joe Augustyn (Night of the Demons and sequel) and Walter Josten.

Special Features:

• Audio Commentary with director Dominique Othenin-Girard, moderated by filmmaker Heather Buckley
• Audio Commentary by Paul Corupe of Canuxploitation.com and Film Historian Jason Pichonsky
• Interview with Star Isa Jank
• Interview with Screenwriter Joe Augustyn
• Interview with Steve Johnson (Special Makeup Effects Designer & Creator)
• Night Angel Tests
• Head Erosion Tests
• Chest Grab Tests
• Animated Behind-the-Scenes Image Gallery
• Original Theatrical Trailer

‘Death House’ now has a release date

The much-anticipated Death House will finally be released on January 26, 2018, in Regal Cinemas across the United States.

Scripted by Harrison Smith and the late Gunnar Hansen (Leatherface in the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre), the film stars an impressive line-up of horror legends including Adrienne Barbeau, Michael Berryman, Barbara Crampton, Sid Haig, Kane Hodder, Lloyd Kaufman, Camille Keaton, R.A. Mihailoff, Bill Moseley, Bill Oberst Jr., Debbie Rochon, Felissa Rose, Tiffany Shepis, Brinke Stevens, Tony Todd, Dee Wallace, and Vernon Wells.

Grimmfest 2017 

This year’s Grimmfest is being held from 5th to 8th October at the Vue Printworks in Manchester, England, UK.

Films being shown include:

Ruin Me – Alex is no fan of horror movies, but reluctantly agrees to accompany her boyfriend to Slasher Sleepout, an extreme horror-themed event, combining camping trip, survival game, and spook house. But then the fun turns deadly, and Alex must confront her worst fears and personal demons if she wants to escape with her life and sanity intact…

Still/Born – After Mary loses one of her twins in childbirth, she starts to believe that her other child is in danger from an evil spirit. Is she simply suffering from post-natal depression, or is it something far worse?

Trench 11 – In the final days of WWI a shell-shocked soldier must lead a mission deep beneath the trenches of No Man’s Land to stop a German experiment that could turn the tide of the war. But it soon becomes apparent that the Germans have already lost control of the situation, and now neither side is safe…

Freehold – Cocky wideboy estate agent Hussein seems to have it all. Well-paid job, beautiful girlfriend, fancy suits, a large flat in a desirable part of London. But unknown to him, he also has a hidden houseguest. One who means him harm…

Better Watch Out – Christmas in small town suburban America, and Ashley agrees to babysit twelve-year-old Luke while his parents are at a dinner party. Far from resenting being left with a sitter, Luke has high expectations for the evening – Ashley is the girl of his dreams, and tonight he intends to declare his feelings. Things get very awkward very quickly – and then take a shocking turn for the worse…

Replace – Young and beautiful Kira is afflicted with a strange disease: her skin starts to age rapidly, dry out and crumble away. When she discovers that she can replace her own skin with somebody else’s, she has to choose: watch her own body wither and die – or give in to temptation… whatever the price

Game of Death – Seven drunken, partying teens discover a slightly sinister board game, and decide it might be quite fun to play it. But they don’t really read the rules, and what they do read they don’t take seriously. Once that clock starts ticking, there’s only one choice: Kill or be killed. Ridiculous, right? And then one of them loses his head, and they realise that the Game is ON…

Double Date – Meet innocent Jim, terrified of girls, and on a reluctant quest to prove his manhood the night before he turns 30. He and his cocky friend Alex think they’ve hit the jackpot when they meet the beautiful siblings Kitty and Lulu, who seem up for anything on a wild party-fuelled night. But little do they know that the femmes fatales want to make Jim lose much more than just his virginity…

Leatherface – A teenage Leatherface escapes from a mental hospital with three other inmates, kidnapping a young nurse and taking her on a road trip from hell while being pursued by an equally deranged lawman out for revenge.

The Bride – In late 19th Century rural Russia, it was common practice to photograph dead relatives, posed as if they were alive. It was also believed in some quarters that the camera was a means to capture the human soul. Travelling with her fiancé to his ancestral home, to prepare for a traditional wedding ceremony, Nastya is about to discover that such beliefs and practices are still very much alive…

Plus, world premiere showings of Manchester-set Habit and the animated haunted house film Borley Rectory.

Full details of the line-up, showing schedule and tickets can be found on the Grimmfest website

‘The Kindred’ is finally set to be unleashed on Blu-ray

Entertainment Weekly has reported that, having purchased the rights over ten years ago and then running into long-running legal issues, Synapse Films will finally be unleashing Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen Carpenter’s The Kindred (1986), which stars Rod Steiger (The Amityville Horror) and Amanda Pays (Leviathan), on Blu-ray and DVD in 2018. Plus, Synapse Films’ version will apparently contain more gore than the original release.

Synapse Films head honcho Donald May Jr. commented:

“Almost ten years later, I can now say that, yes, we are doing The Kindred, finally, for 2018. While we didn’t spend four years restoring it, it took us ten years to get out of all the legal mess to finally announce it again, ten years later. I could probably write a book as to what happened with The Kindred. [Laughs] We’ll do The Kindred on Blu-ray and DVD, because honestly it’s never been legally available on Blu-ray or DVD in the U.S. So, we’ll be the first company to actually release it.

Read more about The Kindred here

‘Black Rose Anthology’ TV series coming soon

Drew Barrymore’s production company, Flower Films, has begun work on a new hour-long horror anthology series titled Black Rose Anthology, which will air on the CW reports Deadline.

Each episode will be written and directed by women and will explore such themes as “guilt, jealousy, repression, paranoia, insanity, sexual obsession and survival through a modern and distinctly feminine lens.” The pilot episode of Black Rose Anthology is being written by former Scream showrunner Jill Blotevogel.

‘Hellraiser’ 30th Anniversary Vinyl Soundtrack Release

On October 6, 2017, Lakeshore Records is reissuing the Hellraiser soundtrack by Christopher Young as a 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition vinyl release, remastered from the original 24 track, 2 inch analog master session tapes.

The single LP gatefold release includes digitally restored original artwork and photography from the film’s archives. Furthermore, the disc sleeve features the long lost original theatrical sales sheet.

The record itself is 140g multi-coloured translucent red with black smoke vinyl.

Buy vinyl soundtrack: Amazon.com

‘Night of the Living Dead’ – The horrors of correct copyright

Kaptain Kristian has produced a YouTube video for blinkist.com explaining why George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead accidentally became a public domain title in 1968 and how this impacted positively on the explosion of the zombie pop culture in years to come.

Buy Blu-ray + DVD combo: Amazon.com

Prime Evil and Lurkers – Vinegar Syndrome is bringing two 1980s Roberta Findlay (Snuff) horror movies to Blu-ray + DVD on October 24.

Prime Evil: Nestled in a Manhattan monastery, evil is lurking. A group of devil worshipping monks are stalking the city, looking for victims to sacrifice to the dark lord in the hope of bringing satanic rule to the world! A stylishly photographed neo-gothic horror, Prime Evil packs in gore, nudity, and loads of 80s NYC locales.

Lurkers: When Cathy was a girl, she saw her deranged mother murder her father and only narrowly escaped with her life. Haunted by memories of her macabre childhood, her nightmares turn into a terrifying reality when she’s lured back to her childhood home, only to be transformed into a ‘lurker;’ members of the vengeful dead who seek to terrorize those who wronged them. Findlay’s suspenseful ghost story explores trauma and grief between moments of shocking violence.

Both films are making their Blu-ray debuts from Vinegar Syndrome, newly restored in 2k from their 35mm original camera negatives!

Directed by: Roberta Findlay
1987-1988 / 173 minutes / Color / 1.85:1
Starring: William Beckwith, Christine Moore, Gary Warner

Features Include:
• Region free Blu-ray/DVD combo pack
• Newly scanned and restored in 2k from the 35mm original camera negative
• Commentary track for Prime Evil with Roberta Findlay (director)
• Original theatrical trailers for both films
• TV spots for both films
• Isolated soundtrack for both films
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH subtitles

Buy Blu-ray + DVD combo: Amazon.com

The Corpse Grinders (1971) – Ted V. Mikels’ exploitation trash, erm, ‘classic’ gets a major Blu-ray upgrade courtesy of Vinegar Syndrome. Check out the specs here

Bloodbeat (1982). Recommended to those who appreciate somewhat incoherent yet amusingly head-scratching surreal (in the genuine sense of the word, not just weird) 80’s low budget fodder. Vinegar Syndrome is releasing a very welcome Blu-ray with a slew of extras. Details here

Psychos in Love (1986) – Gorman Bechard’s idiosyncratic indie black comedy cost a mere $75K in the mid-eighties and yet has an indie vitality and wit far exceeding that of many bigger budget efforts from the era (such as House). Vinegar Syndrome have gone to town with an incredible extras-packed Blu-ray release that shows their love for this oddball movie. Read more

Demon Wind (1990) – Slapdash, silly, yet undoubtedly surreal in a good way, Charles Philip Moore’s low budgeter is a must for Evil Dead fans and those who appreciate rabid regional horror made with genuine enthusiasm. Vinegar Syndrome have done the film proud with their upcoming Blu-ray + DVD combo. Details here

Monster Tiki Mugs

Beeline Creative presents Geeki Tikis 18 oz ceramic mugs based on six classic Universal monsters are due out in September. Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, The Wolf Man, and Creature from the Black Lagoon can be pre-order via Entertainment Earth for $16.99 each.