Welcome to the new home of Creepercast.com. Where we let the fear creep in with all things horror genre. News, Reviews, and more! STAFF:
J.P.: Editor (EIC - Editor in Cheif), Writer (CC - Content Contributor);
Joel Kenyon: Editor (AE - Assistant Editor), Writer (CC - Content Contributor); William S Mayfield: Writer (CC - Content Contributor)
Teens (Suzy Aitchison, Nikki Brooks, Colin Heywood) enter an old island hotel haunted by ghosts from a 1960 New Year's Eve party.
Initial release: May 11, 1987
Director: Norman J. Warren
Initial DVD release: October 5, 2004
Music composed by: Nick Magnus
Cast: Suzy Aitchison, Nikki Brooks, Colin Heywood, Paul Barrett, MORE
Screenplay: Norman J. Warren, Hayden Pearce, Frazer Pearce
Ashley travels to the suburban home of the Lerners to baby-sit their 12-year-old son Luke at Christmastime. She must soon defend herself and the young boy when unwelcome intruders announce their arrival.
Initial release: September 22, 2016
Director: Chris Peckover
Screenplay: Chris Peckover, Zack Kahn
Producers: Brett Thornquest, Brion Hambel, Sidonie Abbene, Paul Jensen
Tonight's full moon is brought to you by the Creepercast with the recommended Full Moon Feature of the evening...
Directed by Charles Band for a 2006 release. The plot about a group of college stoners who smoke from a sentient, malevolent bong unaware that it traps the toker in a surreal strip-club with killer strippers and other strange creatures. The ending features an extended cameo by Tommy Chong, of Cheech & Chong fame. Brandi Cunningham from VH1's Rock of Love with Bret Michaels and Bill Moseley of The Devil's Rejects also make appearances in the film. It was followed by two sequels, Evil Bong 2: King Bong, and Evil Bong 3D: The Wrath of Bong and the crossover film Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong. The series produced a new installment in 2015 with Evil Bong 420 and another in fall of 2016, titled Evil Bong High-5!, with Evil Bong 666 in 2017.
In deep space, the crew of the commercial starship Nostromo is awakened from their cryo-sleep capsules halfway through their journey home to investigate a distress call from an alien vessel. The terror begins when the crew encounters a nest of eggs inside the alien ship. An organism from inside an egg leaps out and attaches itself to one of the crew, causing him to fall into a coma.
Release date: May 25, 1979 (USA)
Director: Ridley Scott
Screenplay: Dan O'Bannon
Fear the technology. The eccentric Dr. Lawrence Angelo (Pierce Brosnan) puts mentally disabled landscaper Jobe Smith (Jeff Fahey) on a regimen of experimental pills and computer-simulated training sequences in hopes of augmenting the man's intelligence. In time Jobe becomes noticeably brighter and also begins to fare much better with the opposite sex. But, as he develops psychic powers, he realizes that those around him have taken advantage of his simplicity his whole life, and he plots a bloody revenge.
Release date: March 6, 1992 (USA)
Director: Brett Leonard
Based on: The Lawnmower Man; by Stephen King
Story by: Stephen King
Screenplay: Brett Leonard, Gimel Everett
Tonight's full moon is brought to you by the Creepercast with the recommended Full Moon Feature of the evening...
When a renegade band of young filmmakers breaks into an abandoned hospital to make their horror epic, they stumble upon a real dead body and decide to use it in their movie. They accidentally bring it back to life, open a portal to a dead world that releases dozens of other zombies, then struggle for their lives in a desperate attempt to flee from the creatures who apparently have them hopelessly trapped in the hospital.
The initial release was February 8, 2000 by Full Moon Features. Written and directed by Dave Parker with a huge budget of budget 150,000 USD and starring a bunch of people you've never heard of.
As Dr. Ernest Sovac (Boris Karloff) makes his way to the electric chair, he recalls the events that landed him on death row. After placing brain matter from a violent gangster into the mind of a dying teacher named George Kingsley (Stanley Ridges), Sovac watches his patient take on violent tendencies. When Sovac learns, through an almost-possessed Kingsley, about a hidden stash of mob money, the doctor entices the criminal in Kingsley to come out -- with murderous results.
Initial release: February 29, 1940
Director: Arthur Lubin
Film series: Universal horror Film Series
Budget: 125,750 USD
Screenplay: Curt Siodmak, Eric Taylor
After returning home from the Vietnam War, veteran Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) struggles to maintain his sanity. Plagued by hallucinations and flashbacks, Singer rapidly falls apart as the world and people around him morph and twist into disturbing images. His girlfriend, Jezzie (Elizabeth Peña), and ex-wife, Sarah (Patricia Kalember), try to help, but to little avail. Even Singer's chiropractor friend, Louis (Danny Aiello), fails to reach him as he descends into madness.
Release date: November 2, 1990 (USA)
Director: Adrian Lyne
Screenplay: Bruce Joel Rubin
It’s man versus nature when wrestling superstar John Hennigan and acclaimed actor Stephen Tobolowsky (‘’Silicon Valley’’, ‘’Deadwood’’) play ‘leapfrog’ with mutated amphibians in Ojala Productions’ highly-anticipated eco-thriller Strange Nature.
By moving in with her estranged hermit father in the backwoods of a small town, Kim (Lisa Sheridan, “The 4400”) and son Brody find themselves in the middle of a horrendous phenomenon where deadly offspring mutations spread from animals to humans.
Based on true unsolved outbreaks of wildlife mutations, fall fright-fest Strange Nature marks the directorial debut of fx maestro James Ojala (Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Thor, Tron: Legacy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and stars Lisa Sheridan (“Invasion”), Stephen Tobolowsky (Memento), John Hennigan (Minutes to Midnight), Tiffany Shepis (Victor Crowley), and Carlos Alazraqui (The Funhouse Massacre).
"Sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters."
You should have seen THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, in one form or another, at least a dozen times by now, but if you haven't, we're sure its playing somewhere at least through the weekend. Bending genres and genders to a punk rock musical in ways that will twist your sensibilities, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW is a Halloween staple. It also introduced us to the man who would become an icon as our favorite wise cracking evil clown. We can't forget Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon in their break out roles or Meat Loaf. Of course, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW also provided us with one of the most important and quintessential dance tracks for our Halloween parties.
There's still a few days left in the week if you haven't gotten your dose of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW yet this year.
When young lovers Joss (Travis Wester) and Alicia (Marisa Ramirez) arrive in a small Mexican town, they inadvertently stumble upon an attempted human sacrifice. Eventually they find their way to the local sheriff, Blanco (David Keith), and begin to piece together the supernatural puzzle, which involves the dead rising from their graves. As the village's dark history is revealed, it becomes clear that the evil stems from the immortal Vargas Diaz (Danny Trejo), who must be stopped at any cost.
Initial release: January 22, 2005
Director: Jeremy Kasten
Budget: 1.2 million USD
Music composed by: Joe Kraemer
Screenplay: Mark A. Altman, Rossella Drudi
Interwoven stories demonstrate that some traditions are best not forgotten as the residents (Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Dylan Baker) of a small town face real ghosts and goblins on Halloween. Tales of terror reveal the consequences of extinguishing a Jack-o-Lantern before midnight and a grumpy hermit's encounter with a sinister trick-or-treater.
Release date: October 4, 2009 (USA)
Director: Michael Dougherty
Budget: 12 million USD
Cinematography: Glen MacPherson
Production companies: Warner Bros., Legendary Entertainment, Bad Hat Harry Productions
As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....
Every once in a while you get excited about something that's coming out. I'm not talking about general excitement, but honest to goodness, kid on Christmas, excitement. That's how it was when I went to the theater to see the newest installment in the 'Halloween' legacy. Way back when I first heard about a pitch that had happened by David Gordon Green and, none other than, Danny McBride for a new 'Halloween' film.... needless to say, I was confused. What on earth does this comedic actor and (primarily) television writer/director, know about horror? But the more I read about it and saw the legitimate passion they had for the project, the more interested I became. Then they dropped the bombshell. This was going to be a direct sequel to the original 1978 John Carpenter film. Once again, I was a little bit gobsmacked. Why on earth would you retcon everything from the past 6 sequels (not counting part 3) and/or not continue what Rob Zombie had started? It seemed a rather bold decision. Once again, I read all of the articles and saw that they had a vision. They saw something fresh and new that the rest of us did not and genuinely wanted to make the 'Halloween' film that we'd all been waiting for. I mean, the original part 2 was written in a drunken stupor and John Carpenter himself, wasn't really keen on how it turned out. Part 3 was it's own thing. Parts 4-8 created an almost impossible timeline of events and confusing back story that watered down the original material to an almost unwatchable place. Even part 8, that really could have been something good, turned into one of the biggest farces ever committed to the screen. Rob's films, essentially, could stand on their own and didn't leave much room for a continuation of the story. So, when I looked at it as a whole, what other direction could you go? Then, Jamie Lee Curtis signed on and all was well in the world. At that point, we all knew that this may be something special. Here we are, a couple of years later and the film has been unleashed to the world and it is doing some crazy box office. This just proves that Michael Myers has a staying power that can't be underestimated and that you can teach an old dog new tricks.
The film begins in Smith's Grove Sanitarium, the home of Michael Myers for the past 40 years. Now, an old man, he's never spoken a word and lives his days out as a bit of a modern day boogeyman; retired. Two podcasters come to visit him, in the hopes of getting some kind of an interview and a story for their latest episode. Upon meeting with Michael, one of them shows him the mask and we get the idea that perhaps there is something still a bit supernatural about 'The Shape'. They then head to the home Laurie Strode. The survivor of that single murderous night, in which Michael killed five other people and left her alive to tell the tale. She now lives in, basically, a compound that's compete with a shooting range, floodlights, all kinds of security and no one else but herself. The two podcasters once again attempt to get a story, in the hopes of possibly having her and Micheal sit down together to hash out their differences. We see Laurie is now a PTSD sufferer and has had a life full of sadness and struggle. All because of the actions of one man. She turns down the offer and escorts the two off her property. We then meet her daughter and granddaughter, who rarely see her, but are soon joined together for a meal. This turns out to be a bit of a good bye dinner, as Laurie plans to murder Michael as he's being moved to another location. She realizes that she can't go through with it and while Michael is on his way to his new home, he escapes. From there, it's back to Haddonfield, to once again pick up where he left off and possibly finish what he started.
I really don't want to divulge much more than that, because this is such a new film and part of the joy in seeing it is the ability to watch the events unfold naturally. While this might not be a perfect film and may have been a bit to over hyped by the press, it does pay off on the majority of what it promised. A return to form and a story that's worthy to be included in the canon that is 'Halloween'. One of the big things that immediately jumps out at you, with this film, is the score. John Carpenter returns to take what he originally wrote and expands on it in ways that punctuate the film beautifully. There are some intense moments that are only amplified by the musical score. What he's done with the music is perfect and fits tonally with what David was going for with the film itself. They really work quite well together and it lends some credence to the entire affair. Another aspect of this film that really spoke to me was the erasing of all that came after part 1. Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy 2 and 3 quite a bit, but never really could appreciate the later outings like the rest of the fandom does. It wasn't until Rob Zombie's films, that I really got into the Michael mythos. I always felt like they were continually diluting what made the main character scary in the first place and making him more of a puppet that a monster. Whereas Jason was an undead killing machine and Freddy was a murdering mirth maker, Micheal became confusing. This wipes that slate clean and leaves you with the impression he may be more than just a man, but maybe not? It seems as though they were taking aspects of the other ten films and incorporating them into this one, in bits and pieces, but never really giving the audience more than a nod that they even existed. All in all, this film just felt 'right'. Like it fit perfectly in the world that John created and gave us some much needed closure on the story. Not that it's necessarily over....
With all of that being said, there were some things here that didn't work. There are some logic jumps, which kind of come with the territory. I mean, you can't make a horror film without it. At least not with a modern day boogeyman. There was one scene in particular that seemed a bit out of left field. I don't want to provide any spoilers, but it involves the doctor and.... well, you'll know it when you see it. However, the moment that part has ended, what happens next raises a lot of very interesting questions that make me look forward to the commentary on the DVD/Blu-ray release. I've also got a few minor issues with the mask itself, as I think I got a little bit spoiled with the quality of the one that Rob had created for his films. Not too mention, that if this is supposed to be the one that was used back in 1978, I would think that it wouldn't have been wearable by 2018. Based on what I know about latex masks. (Which isn't much). Finally, the ending. I'm a little puzzled by the decisions that were made with how to close out the third act. The final two shots and the (sort of) cut scene after the credits. They leave us with more questions than answers and it felt just a bit confusing. I don't know what the plan was with the franchise, when they were writing it, or if there was a plan, but it leaves me wondering if/and or what would happened next? Maybe that was the goal? All in all, this is a solid entry into the series and bookends nicely with the original films and even the remakes. Sadly, the majority of the other big names have fallen on hard times. The 'Friday the 13th' films have all but petered out, unless they do another reboot or find a fresh way to pick up where the left off. The 'Nightmare on Elm Street' films left us on a high note, only to kill that with a horrific remake. With 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre', it's become one of the most absurd timelines in cinema history. Although, I really enjoyed the most recent installment, it didn't really leave them room to grow. It's like each films is almost it's own separate entity with only Leatherface tying it all together. The 'Child's Play' films have held things together really well, in my opinion, and may finally be making a mistake with a reboot, but time will tell. Finally, 'Hellraiser'... well, that's just a mess. For the newest 'Halloween' (2018) I'm giving it a 4 out of 5 star ranking and have added it to my list of the 'Top 13 Horror Films of 2018' and justifiably so. It's a love letter to the first films, while breaking its own new ground. If you get a chance, go see this one in the theater with a room full of people and I think you'll walk away feeling satisfied. Also, thank you to Danny McBride and David Gordon Green for not making Laurie without the flaws and scars of someone who's endured a traumatic experience. Far too many films shy away from this for their 'final girl' and sadly, it ends up cheapening the story line and the characters that have been created. Bring on the next film!
If you like this film, please revisit: 'Halloween' (1978), 'Halloween' (2007) and consider the rest of them too. We all have our favorites, eh?
On the night before Halloween, four high school friends choose to bail on the big costume party in favor of some holiday vandalizing, a choice with dire consequences.
Director: Nathan Bucar
Writers: Nathan Bucar, Evan Mulgrave
Stars: Massimo Lista, Joe Grimes, Will McMahon
Debut from Justin P. Lange stars Nadia Alexander of
TV's The Sinner and Netflix's Seven Seconds
Film Synopsis
On the outskirts of a small town lies Devil's Den, a mysterious tract of woods where many have entered but no one has ever left. The local rumor is that the spirit of a young girl who was horrifically murdered there haunts and hunts in this dense forest, brutally slaying anyone who dares to step into her terrain. When a man with a dark past crosses her path, a series of events are set in motion that may lead to a peculiar kind of redemption for two tragically tortured souls.
Part gothic fairytale and part chilling horror, director Justin P. Lange's debut feature balances rich imagery with a brutal and bloody story of unlikely kindred spirits who must defend themselves against the villainous powers of the 'normal' world.
The recently launched production company, Queensbury Pictures, today announced the production wrap of GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR, the writing and directing debut of producer Travis Stevens and starring pop culture staple and former WWE superstar, Phil Brooks (aka CM Punk).
Shooting has wrapped in the Chicago suburb of Frankfort, Illinois - in a house that has long been considered by local residents to be haunted.
A name consistently in the news and synonymous with pop culture, mixed martial artist and comic book writer Phil Brooks is best known for his record setting career in the WWE under the name CM Punk. Brooks has a recurring role in Marc Maron's IFC comedy series Maronand will appear in the remake of David Cronenberg's Rabid. GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOORmarks his first leading role.
"I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to take on the lead role in GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR," said Phil Brooks. "I'm a longtime personal fan of genre films and this project was an absolute natural fit for me."
Producer Greg Newman said, "Phil Brooks has proven his abilities as an actor outside of the ring and is a natural fit for the lead. His range and performance will surely delight and surprise those who know him best from his athletic career. We're thrilled and honored to have him on the project.
Writer/Director of GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR, Travis Stevens, has produced such acclaimed, wide-ranging films as We Are Still Hereand Starry Eyes,and Buster's Mal Heart. Stevens will now be stepping behind the camera for the first time as a director.
Stevens said, "After many years nurturing the creative vision of other talented storytellers, I'm both grateful and humbled to receive the support of Queensbury Pictures, MPI Media and all the cast and crew who have crossed the threshold of this very strange, incredibly beautiful and unflinchingly terrifying house."
The cast includes Trieste Dunnof Applesauce, United 93, Bansheeand many other films and TV series, Elissa Dowling, a genre veteran best known for We Are Still Hereand newcomer Sarah Brooksin a breakout role. Award-winning Special FX Technician Dan Martin(High Rise, Free Fire, Lord of Chaos) is creating the film's jaw-dropping special make-up and creature effects. Producers on the film include Greg Newman, Giles Edwards, Nicola Goelzhaeuser and Travis Stevens.
Film Synopsis:
At the heart of the film is Don Koch (CM Punk), a man who is failing as a husband. For years he has skated by on charm and charisma, until it nearly landed him in jail. He now views fixing up an old house as a chance to make up for past mistakes. Meanwhile, his wife, Liz Koch, is concerned about the renovation timeline as they have a baby on the way. With all this pressure it's no wonder Don responds to the flirtations of an attractive stranger. As Don tears the house apart, it begins to tear him apart as well, revealing the rot behind the drywall.
Queensbury Pictures was launched this past spring by film industry vets Greg Newman, Travis Stevens and Giles Edwards to produce films in-house as well as nurture the next wave of great filmmaking talent. The company will shepherd a wide range of projects from conception to production, distribution and exhibition. GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR marks its initial step in this direction.
"After moving to Salem, Mass., Max and his friends accidentally free a coven of evil witches who used to live in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches' book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal."
It's extremely important to hook your children on horror as early as possible and believe it or not Disney was once acutely ware of this. Thus ole Walt gave us Fantasia, Snow White, and a slew of iconic villains to tempt our kids to the darkside. To further establish the witch as an important element of Halloween (which of course they have always been) the Disney machine went to Salem and resurrected three hilarious crones to help us celebrate the holiday. Brilliantly caste Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker steal the show with the obligatory song and dance routine while still keeping both adults and children involved.
HOCUS POCUS is usually available on half your TV stations during this time period so instead of avoiding it because you hate commercials just mix a drink and enjoy.
Shaenon K. Garrity, the self-professed Mayor of Horror Movies, is mostly a cartoonist who just happens to watch a lot of scary movies while drawing cartoons. Check out her thematically appropriate horror movie for each day of the year at Horror Every Day. Continue to visit the Creepercast every day for that days featured Horror offering.
Tonight's full moon is brought to you by the Creepercast with the recommended Full Moon Feature of the evening...
A mad scientist animates Dracula, Frankenstein and other movie monsters, but they're only three feet tall.
Charles Band Produces and directs these monsters that come in all shapes and sizes, and if you don't believe it, this offbeat horror item will provide all the proof you need. A somewhat mad scientist, Winston Berber (Bill Moynihan), has come up with a remarkable new invention -- a machine that can create living, breathing re-creations of fictional characters from books. However, there's a slight problem with this new technology; he can only create miniature versions of these literary giants, and when he programs several classic horror novels into the machine, he suddenly has three-foot-high versions of Dracula (Phil Fondacaro), Frankenstein's Monster (Thomas Wellington), the Mummy (Joe Smith), and the Wolfman (Jon Simanton) to contend with. The pint-sized monsters soon begin making king-sized mayhem and when the monsters need a woman of virtue to put their evil schemes into high gear, pretty but virginal librarian Anna (Rhonda Griffin) becomes their next target, and it's up to her to put things back to normal.
Rabid Heart released October 3, 2018 via Afraid/Riverdale Avenue Books
Pre-Order Here or at the Digital Retailer Links Below!
Last week, Publishers Weekly launched the official book trailer for author Jeremy Wagner's new novel, RABID HEART. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/Kd0BAJDqJxQ
The trailer for RABID HEART was directed by horror writer John Palisano and features a musical score by Jeremy Wagner. The trailer's imagery and music capture the eerie and nightmarish vibe and setting of RABID HEART while also planting an ominous seed with the viewer which will leave readers asking: "What is this creepy road are these characters have wound up on?"
"Who are these characters afraid of?"
"What horrors await them?"
"Is there love in a dead heart...?"
These questions and the visual representation in this trailer for RABID HEART will no doubt compel readers to pick up RABID HEART and find out for themselves what epicness lies in wait within the pages of a novel that Publishers Weekly says, "Aside from the nonstop action, the book wins over the reader because of the warmth and determination Rhonda embodies as she battles these evil forces on her own terms, especially after she rescues two children."
RABID HEART author Jeremy Wagner says, "I had a solid draft of RABID HEART cooling for a while as I worked on some other projects for a couple years. Once I came back to revise and polish RABID HEART, I fell hard for it all over again and knew I had something special. I love f-ed up stories... I write f-ed up things. My style of fiction and my personal tastes in what I read all leans towards really dark fiction and usually has protagonists who go through hell - there's a lot of that in RABID HEART. The things that my main character Rhonda Driscoll goes through might fit in nicely with says, McCarthy's The Road pairing with 28 Days Later or Romero's Day of the Dead. I hope you all enjoy the ride."
Founding father and current member of renowned death metal band BROKEN HOPE and author of Barnes & Noble Top 10 Paperback Bestseller THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD, Jeremy Wagner, will release his new horror novel, RABID HEART - a novel about the depth of undying love in the midst of a zombie apocalypse - available internationally in Hardcover, Trade Paperback, Digital, and Audio formats on October 3, 2018 via the AFRAID Horror Imprint of RIVERDALE AVENUE BOOKS.
HARDCOVER - Barnes and Noble
DIGITAL available at Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Google Play | Smashwords | Riverdale Avenue Books
About Author Jeremy Wagner:
Wagner has written lyrics to hundreds of songs spanning several albums with his internationally-renowned death metal band, BROKEN HOPE. Music aside, Wagner writes dark fiction and short works full time.
His published works include the best-selling debut novel, THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD, the story "Romance Ain't Dead" for the anthology, Hungry For Your Love (St. Martin's Press), the story "The Creatures From Craigslist" in the anthology Fangbangers: An Erotic Anthology of Fangs, Claws, Sex and Love (Ravenous Romance), the seasonal bio tale, When I Scared Myself Out of Halloween (Shock Totem Books), his horror writing essay-exercise in the Now Write! Edition of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror (Bantam Books), and most recently, his short story "Pit Stop" in the A Tribute Anthology to Deadworld (Riverdale Avenue Books).
Wagner's novel, The Armageddon Chord, peaked at #4 on Barnes & Noble's Top 10 paperback Bestseller List and peaked at #9 on Barnes & Noble's Top 100 overall Bestseller List in the first week of release. The novel also earned a Hiram Award, a first-round ballot Stoker Award Nomination, and received critical acclaim in Publisher's Weekly and Rolling Stone, among many other worldwide media outlets.
The Afraid imprint of Riverdale Avenue Books will re-release a revised edition of THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD in December 2018 with new cover artwork and more.
New York Times Bestselling Author, Peter Straub (A Dark Matter, Ghost Story, and The Talisman- with Stephen King) says, "Jeremy is a pretty impressive dude."
IFC Midnight announced today it is acquiring U.S. distribution rights to Emma Tammi’s narrative feature film THE WIND produced by Soapbox Films and Divide/Conquer. The film made its World Premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival to an enthusiastic Midnight Madness crowd and it will screen at Fantastic Fest this weekend.
With THE WIND, director Emma Tammi and writer Teresa Sutherland have embarked on a nightmarish yet empathetic exploration of domestic solitude, skillfully conjuring — in bone-chilling visual and sonic strokes — an indescribable spectre that seems to emanate from the abyss of the night itself. Hailed by critics as a femme-centric western and supernatural horror, the film stars Caitlin Gerard, Julia Goldani Telles, Ashley Zukerman, Dylan McTee, and Miles Anderson. THE WIND not only features an array of talented female creatives at the helm and in front of the camera, it also showcases the work from production designers Hillary and Courtney Andujar, set decorator Elsbeth Mumm along with film editor Alexandra Amick.
“Emma Tammi’s impressive debut into narrative filmmaking starring a break out performance from Caitlin Gerard packs the kind of fierce ingenuity we are continually searching for when we distribute films. We’re thrilled to bring such an intelligently crafted and distinct vision in the horror genre to audiences around the country,” said Jonathan Sehring and Lisa Schwartz, co-presidents of IFC Films/Sundance Selects.
“IFC’s history of cultivating large audiences for smart, genre-bending films makes them the ideal partner to bring this beautiful, thought-provoking, and ultimately horrifying film to market. It is an important time to champion storytelling that takes risks, and IFC emboldens those narratives that challenge and move us, while entertaining. We are very excited to be part of the family and look forward to working with their talented team to bring THE WIND to the U.S. audience,” said in a statement from director Emma Tammi with producers Christopher Alender and David Viste.
The deal for THE WIND was negotiated by IFC Midnight with ICM Partners/XYZ Films on behalf of the filmmakers.
IFC Midnight is a sister label to IFC Films and Sundance Selects and is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc.
A truly monstrous love story. A team of British archaeologists led by Sir Joseph Whemple (Arthur Byron) discover the mummified remains of the ancient Egyptian prince Imhotep (Boris Karloff), along with the legendary scroll of Thoth. When one of the archaeologists recites the scroll aloud, Imhotep returns to life, but escapes. Several years later, Imhotep has taken on the guise of a wealthy man, as he searches Egypt for his lost love, who he believes has been reincarnated as the lovely Helen Grosvenor (Zita Johann).
Release date: December 22, 1932 (USA)
Director: Karl Freund
Screenplay: John L. Balderston
Music composed by: James Dietrich
Story by: Nina Wilcox Putnam, Richard Schayer
"Interwoven stories demonstrate that some traditions are best not forgotten as the residents of a small town face real ghosts and goblins on Halloween.
As you can tell we really do love a good anthology. A good anthology, by definition, would have multiple stories that seem to not be related but maintain a common thread through an over-arching theme and an iconic character that brings them all together in the end. TRICK 'R TREAT introduces us to the now iconic Sam, a mysterious child trick-or-treater wearing shabby orange footie pajamas with a burlap sack over his head. He is the personification (perhaps "monsterfication") of Halloween (aka Samhain) that makes an appearance in each of the stories whenever a character breaks Halloween traditions. He's cure and deadly, and likely one of the youngest members of the horror icons list. TRICK 'R TREAT also has a list of iconic actors like Dylan Baker, Anna Paquin and Brian Cox. You can never go wrong with faces you recognize.
TRICK 'R TREAT is a tradition you shouldn't be breaking, so be sure to watch it soon before Sam shows up at your doorstep to correct your belligerence.
We continue to look back in retrospect at the Halloween franchise films that we have loved, or at least found entertaining, before they cease to exist with the release of the new Halloween II on October 19th. We continue our fond remembrance of the Halloween franchise with the worst of the Halloween franchise, HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION and pretty much sunk the franchise to nothing but constant remakes.
"Evil find its way home."
Wikipedia Synopsis: HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION is the eighth installment in the Halloween series. It continues with Michael Myers continuing his murderous rampage in his hometown of Haddonfield. Yet, this time, the killer's old, derelict childhood home is being used for a live internet horror show.
HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION is directed by Rick Rosenthal, who had also directed Halloween II in 1981. The film builds upon the continuity of Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, and that is only the first mistake. Writers Larry Brand and Sean Hood apparently wanted Michael Myers to compete with Jason X, and thereby created something just as bad if not worse. Jamie Lee Curtis had agreed to H2O believing they would be ending Michael once and for all. Instead the writers found a way to bait and switch the ending and mistaken identity allows RESURRECTION to happen. It is reported that Jamie Lee only agreed to reprise her role as Laurie yet again because this time, at least one of them, would be killed once and for all. It seems only right and fair that the man who introduced the relationship between Laurie and Michael be at the helm. What makes it confusing is RESURRECTION is literally two movies in one. The first part representing the culmination of the brother and sister storyline and serving as an excuse as to how it is possible that Michael can continue his reign of stabbings. It also appears that Jamie is there just to lend credibility to the film. After that, in the guise of nostalgia, Michael returns to his childhood home to find it has been invaded by modern day ghost hunters seeking a living spirit, which he is obliged to provide, while returning to his original roots of being a hulking killer.
The second part of HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION stars a crazy mix of actors and non-actors like Busta Rhymes, Bianca Kajlich, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Ryan Merriman, Sean Patrick Thomas, Katee Sackhoff, Daisy McCrackin, Luke Kirby and Tyra Banks. With such an ensemble its obvious the film makers were hoping to create a more 00's type slasher film that borrowed from films like Scream. The character of Michael became more of an anguished killer, miles away from the hulking figure we grew to love. As a whole the idea behind HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION implies Michael has returned from the dead to pay vengeance upon the TV crew that has invaded his childhood home. Then things get ridiculous. Tyra Banks plays herself, at least so it seems, and rapper Busta Rhymes tries desperately to be LL Cool J (in a worse way then LL). As you watch you can't help but feel bad for Katee Sackhoff stuck in a stereotypical role that, thankfully, did not define her career, like it did Busta. Finally, the last thing I'll question... is it just me or does Michael's mask look more like a tired Ray Liotta?
HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION is one of the Halloween franchise films we wish we could say we would miss now that the timeline has been rewritten. But, in the end, there is still entertainment value, even though it did kill the continuing saga that was once the Halloween franchise.
When Rob Zombie's 2007 vision of 'Halloween' ended, I really had no second thoughts that he would make a sequel. Instead, I imagined the studio finding a similar gritty film maker to pick up the mantle and begin a new cycle of Michael Myers madness. That's truly the thought that went through my mind. Then I saw interviews with him where he commented that he'd said all he needed to say and was stepping away in favor of other projects. Little did I know, that he did have more to say. Now, there's some debate as to whether the motive was creative or cash driven, but regardless of what your stance is on the whole topic.... Rob made a slasher film that was different from the original and very different from a lot of the sequels we've ever seen or even any other horror films we've ever seen. This time around, he wasn't going to follow the template that was laid out in the subsequent follow ups to Carpenter's first film. Rob Zombie was out to make a Michael Myers film that was truly all his own. Love it or hate it, this film exists now and you can't deny that it didn't leave a hell of a mark.
This film takes place, literally minutes after the first films ending. Just before that, we get a brief glimpse and a little foreshadowing of events to come, as a young Michael (not played by Daeg, as adolescence had made it impossible) hearing about the white horse. Cut to Laurie wondering down the empty streets, bloodied, bruised, broken and barely breathing. Sheriff Brackett finds her and rushes her off to the hospital, where you truly see the kind of havoc that was caused to her body by the night of terror she had just endured. Right off the bat, you know this is going to be something different. Meanwhile, the 'meat wagon' shows up to get Michael's body and transport him to the morgue. Along the way, the two paramedics (one played by the later cast as Doom Head, Richard Brake) share a little gallows humor before hitting a cow head on and crashing the truck. We quickly find out that Michael isn't dead and he's about to pick up right where he left off. We also see the vision of his mother and the aforementioned large, white horse. This is something that has divided fans across the board and was one reason so many of them felt like this film was not the follow up they were hoping for. It creates a backdrop for what's actually going on inside the mind of a killer. It's a bit of high art that isn't typically seen in your run of the mill cut em' up and for that, I give Rob credit. He took a big risk and for me, it proved to be something that makes this film stand apart. We then see Laurie in the hospital, recovering from the massive trauma she's just sustained, but her respite is short lived as soon Michael shows up and starts murdering everyone in his path back to Laurie. She makes it out of the hospital (note to the reader: the theatrical and unrated version differ pretty largely during this sequence) and to a guard outside. He attempts to calm her down and get her back to her hospital room. What happens next is one of my favorite visual scenes in the film, which is Michael in the rain. He kills, Buddy the guard, and then proceeds to kill Ms. Strode.... or does he?
She wakes up screaming and we come to find out that this was all a nightmare or at least parts of it. It's never clearly defined what actually happened, other than Michael showing up to dispatch her. Now, this is where the film really starts to shine. One of the two main reasons I will defend this film and consider it to be a worthy successor to his first outing is the portrayal of Sheriff Brackett, by Brad Douriff and with the way that we see the true repercussions of a killer on a rampage. We rarely see the collateral damage or what happens to the victim, post attack. About 95% of the time, the 'final girl' becomes a raging bad ass who will take on the killer, head on, in an act of vengeance and anger. While I can certainly appreciate and enjoy the empowerment of women in these scenarios, the reality would truly be something entirely different. Instead, we see a young woman who is fragile and traumatized by the events that transpired. She's not out to take on all the evil of the world, she's just trying to get her life back together. Just that alone deserves some credit. Instead, most of the viewers seemed to see this film as a confusing piece of cinema that didn't ring true for them. Why do we always have to follow the same formula? Horror doesn't have to be a cut and paste mad lib that just adds slightly different elements to create the same final product. If you do this too often, you become stagnant and the genre turns into something that people don't take seriously. Along her journey, we see Laurie in counseling and struggling with PTSD. We see her having difficulty having normal human interactions and trying to move past something that her small town society won't let her do. This is the reality that isn't normally shown. Again, for that, I give Rob all the credit. It's not pretty or what's expected, but it's more of what might be true to life in this horrific situation. Another point of deviation from the original is how Dr. Loomis goes from a loving and caring professional to a straight up media whore. As I said in my previous piece, he, in his own way, becomes a monster. Casing in on the tragedy of those around him for the sake of the almighty dollar. While I know that the initial take on the character from the original films was more of counterpoint to Michaels' mayhem, I like Malcolm McDowell's spin on him and his character arc.
During a scene where Mr. Myers is still roaming the countryside on his way to Haddonfield, we get the sense that perhaps he and Laurie are more than just linked by blood. When he decides to eat a dog that was caged with the three owners of the land he was trespassing on that he dispatches rather abruptly. As he's eating, so is Laurie. It's established that she's a vegetarian and while she's having her meat free pizza, she becomes violently ill, as if what Michael is eating is effecting her. It's never explicitly said, but rather implied throughout the film. After all of this, Michael sets up shop at the Rabbit In red, where his mom used to dance. Brutally slaying the owner, bouncer and dancer in one of the most vicious killings in both films. The murders in and of themselves aren't as gory, but the methods are just insane. I think because in a lot of ways, Michael is taking it out even harder on them because it's personal. They're not just random people. The next morning, Dr. Loomis releases his latest book that reveals that Laurie is in fact, Michael's little sister. This spins her out and while trying to drink away her problems, she spends the evening at a Halloween party with her two best friends. Once again, Michael picks them off one by one, until he ends up at the Brackett's, where he finally finishes what he started with Annie. Once again, there is an implication of more violent acts than what we're shown. It's one big point of contention I do have with this film. If what Rob is implying is what actually happened, it was unnecessary and completely out of character for Michael. I'll leave that up to your own interpretation. Things at this point go into overdrive as all of the world's come crashing together at a small shed where Michael has taken Laurie to be a family again. The standoff comes to an end with Sheriff Brackett, Dr. Loomis and an large fleet of police officers are looking for a chance to take him out. While it's interesting to watch, it doesn't end up holding the same weight as the end of the first installment. That brings us to the last shot of the film and the way the Rob ends it with almost no way for Michael to continue on and with Laurie set to take up the mantle. It's a bold choice and one that doesn't totally feel out of character, based on the events that led up to it's conclusion. In my personal opinion, it bookends nicely with the original film and always leaves me feeling like it was a complete story. With all the other original films, I always felt like there was one more movie yet to come and with the newest chapter being released this year with 'Halloween' (2018), I was right.
Love them or hate them, Rob Zombie's 'Halloween' films are two stand alone pieces in an alternate reality to the one we grew up with. I found them to be gritty masterpieces of modern horror. Telling an entire lifetime of story in a mere (roughly) four hour window of time. There is a beginning, middle and ending that tie up any lose ends and leave me feeling satisfied. His choice of music, set design, actors, costuming, color pallet, right down to the best version of the mask we've seen since the original.... he puts his passion on a plate. I know that I'm in the minority with my feelings on these films and I'm okay with that. As I said at the beginning of my two part retrospective, I'm a Rob Zombie fan, no two ways about it. However, that's not the only reason that I love these films. I love them for what they are. The original films were a tale of a modern day boogeyman that started out with a two part bang, but quickly faded into a rather wimpy shadow of what he once was. These films brought him back to life for a new generation and made him terrifying again. I think we can all agree that John Carpenter's original 1978 film is a masterpiece of horror that did something that was new and unique. I feel that these were a love letter to those first few films, but bravely paved a new path to set itself apart of it's predecessors. That's the legacy that these film will leave behind..... or maybe it's just me?
We continue to look back in retrospect at the Halloween franchise films that we have loved, or at least found entertaining, before they cease to exist with the release of the new Halloween II on October 19th.
We continue to look back in retrospect at the Halloween franchise films that we have loved, or at least found entertaining, before they cease to exist with the release of the new Halloween II on October 19th. We continue our fond remembrance of the Halloween franchise with Halloween H2O...
Its been 20 years since the events that happened in the original Halloween. In this installment of the franchise Michael Myers has been on the run or just in hiding but he is returning. Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie. She has moved far from Haddenfield. She is in constant fear that Myers will return. Now the headmistress of a boarding school in northern California with here 17 year old son who has no interest in the legend of Michael Myers. The school is on the verge of a annual camping trip and Laurie will not let her son go due to her fears, but of course, he has a girlfriend... well, we were all that age. Michael finds his way to Northern California and once again the hunt begins.
Josh Hartnett plays Lauries son, and even though his mom says he can go camping, he decides to stay and not tell her. Him, his girl and a few others want to have a Halloween party since Laurie has never let her son. L. L. Cool J plays the schools security officer, but I was really not sure if he was playing the cook from Deep Blue Sea. I'm not wanting to say this movie is the worst movie in the franchise, but it the worst one I can remember. I know its a slasher flick but when you go from a small low budget to the big Hollywood treatment most of the time it winds up hurting the production more than helping, especially with horror movies. Myers systematically goes on a killing spree and there is a decent kill count but it still falls very short of the original. The third act feels like it was an after thought and the final confrontation was one of the biggest WTF moments I have ever seen on camera. I would like to give this a recommendation because its a good film, but all I will say is if you want a laugh or two this might be the sequel for you. As always please check out all the films I review and make up your own mind.
These bosses are out for blood. An ordinary day at the office becomes a horrific quest for survival when 80 employees (John Gallagher Jr., Tony Goldwyn, Adria Arjona) at the Belko Corp. in Bogotá, Colombia, learn that they are pawns in a deadly game. Trapped inside their building, a voice over an intercom tells the frightened staffers that two workers must be killed within 30 minutes. When another ultimatum follows, friends become enemies and new alliances take shape, as only the strongest will remain alive at the end.
Initial release: June 15, 2017 (Germany)
Director: Greg McLean
Box office: 11.1 million USD
Budget: 5 million USD
Screenplay: James Gunn
We continue to look back in retrospect at the Halloween franchise films that we have loved, or at least found entertaining, before they cease to exist with the release of the new Halloween II on October 19th. We continue our fond remembrance of the Halloween franchise with HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH (1982), not to be confused with another horror masters witch classic (George Romero's Season of the Witch).
"Kids all over America want Silver Shamrock masks for Halloween. Doctor Daniel Challis seeks to uncover a plot by Silver Shamrock owner Conal Cochran."
Wikipedia Synopsis: HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH follows the story of Dr. Dan Challis as he tries to solve the mysterious murder of a patient in his hospital. He, along with the patient's daughter Ellie Grimbride, travels to the small town of Santa Mira, California. The pair discover that Silver Shamrock Novelties, a company run by Conal Cochran, is attempting to use the mystic powers of the Stonehenge rocks to resurrect the ancient aspects of the Celtic festival, Samhain, which Cochran connects to witchcraft. Cochran is using his Silver Shamrock Halloween masks to achieve his goal, which will be achieved when all the children wearing his masks watch the Silver Shamrock commercial airing Halloween night.
Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace; Written by John Carpenter, Tommy Lee Wallace, and Nigel Kneale; Produced by John Carpenter and Debra Hill; Starring Tom Atkins, Dan O'Herlihy, and Stacey Nelkin. Tommy Lee Wallace, is a long-time friend and collaborator of John Carpenter, began as an art director for Carpenter's Dark Star and was one of the editors on the original Halloween and The Fog. His other directing credits includes Fright Night Part 2, Vampires: Los Muertos (2002), and the miniseries It (1990). Carpenter initially offered directorial responsibilities for Halloween II to Wallace but Wallace declined, citing disappointment with the script. The fact he agreed to direct HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH is testament to their belief in the over-arching project.
On the lead actors front, Tom Atkins (Dr. Daniel Challis) had appeared in several John Carpenter films prior to Halloween III. Atkins played Nick Castle in The Fog (1980) and Rehme in Escape from New York (1981). As the doctor investigating into the strangeness of the Silver Shamrock he is the perfect protagonist and has expressed how much he loves vanquishing evil. Atkins has been quoted by Fangoria as saying "I wouldn't mind making a whole career out of being in just horror movies." On the opposite side of the spectrum, as much as the acting cred of Donald Pleasence as Dr. Loomis added to Halloween, Dan O'Herlihy as Conal Cochran (The Cabinet of Caligari, The Dead) does the same for HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH. Of course his Irish heritage helps in relation to the story being told about a 3000 year old Celtic witch wanting to replace all the children with robots. Atkins' protagonism as a stereotypical, mans man, modern American starkly contrasts with O'Herlihy's ancient European royalty mask over barbarian intentions antagonism.
Speaking of masks, the purpose of the mask story line in the film has been explained as a commentary on the fixation children have on Halloween masks and the desire to be seen for something other than who they are. This is a running theme in Carpenters Halloween franchise and especially Zombie's retelling as well. In Michael Myers case it is truly a way for him to hide behind a face that doesn't look anything like him (which is why his eyes, the windows do the dark soul, became so important to the character). In HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH the mask is a many layered tool. In Samhain celebrations the mask is a way to hide among the spirits that return to the living for the night. Cochran is wearing a mask that makes it possible for him to hide among us. The masks are also the tools by which the evil will control the living, and eventually destroying them. Thus, the method by which the living traditionally uses to hide from evil will lead to their destruction. But I digress...
Writer Nigel Kneale (BBC, Hammer Film Productions) may be the main writer of HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH, or at least idea man behind the Celtic rooted story. Which perhaps even explains the Hammer like appearance of the entire movie. Unfortunately some producers managed to bastardize the script trading cerebral horror in favor of more kills. So much so that Kneale was ready to have his name removed from the credits. This is one of the real reasons the film failed on most fronts and our first lesson on how the wrong people involved in the creative decisions can destroy a good idea. A lesson Carpenter and Hill always refer back on when they are asked to give advice to young film makers. Hill told Fangoria that the film was supposed to be "a 'pod' movie, not a 'knife' movie." As such, director Wallace drew inspiration from Don Siegel's Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956). The fictional town of Santa Mira was originally the setting of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The plot was also similar in that children were to be replaced by robots (rather than emotionless aliens) and the timing and build up were comparative. As for the rest of the plot it begins to fall apart about the time we realize the witches plans of creating little Stepford children makes title to no sense.
Though the idea behind HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH is admirable, putting it under the Halloween franchise banner was not the best move. Unfortunately, Carpenter had created a conundrum when he brilliantly agreed to name his babysitter killer movie after the pagan holiday. On one hand he had invented an icon in Michael Myers that grew more popular with every Halloween that passed, cemented in history once the sequel hit. But, it was also a good idea to have a Halloween franchise that was actually an anthology of full length films, perhaps even drawing the stories from pagan beliefs that brought us the holiday. As a stand alone film, HALLOWEEN: SEASON OF THE WITCH would be the perfect introduction to that kind of anthology. Despite the attempts at tying it to the first two films like same music, opening pumpkin, and the appearance of Dick Warlock (who donned the mask in Halloween II) as an Assassin Android and Jamie Lee Curtis' uncredited Curfew Announcer/Telephone Operator, it comes off more as an homage or even real world counterpart rather than fictionalizing everything from the first two films as intended.
Through its success and failings HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH is quintessential Halloween fodder. Putting aside the failures of having no Michael, a massacred original script, and a poorly orchestrated attempt at reinventing the Halloween franchise, HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH is a Halloween holiday film that deserves its cult following. Be fairly warned, it is not the most brilliant film you'll find. But it is entertaining and, if nothing else, infected us with the Silver Shamrock jingle that will never leave your mind. just when you think you forgot it, it will creep its way into your dreams.
