my 'classic' thoughts on.... 'Hit and Run' (2009)

Dragging the depths of my old horror reviews, I thought they might need to see the light of day again. So, I bring you some of Joel's 'Classic' horror reviews....

Let me start this review by saying, I think this movie is miss-titled. It should have been called 'Dumb', plain and simple. I don't know how much more I can clearly put it, this movie was silly and pointless and not in a fun way. But I'll be damned if I wasn't transfixed throughout the whole thing. I couldn't stop watching it, no matter how terrible it became.... and it just kept getting worse and worse! In the back of my mind, I was hoping that things would turn around. However, that was just wishful thinking. It starts out with a bang, literally and it continues on like it's going to end. The problem is, it just keeps going and going and going and just when you think you've seen the dumbest part of the movie, it just gets even dumber. It's basically a turd in a DVD case. (well, it was on demand, so a turd on demand).

Here's the story, if you can call it one. A young woman on spring break, leaves a bar and swerves to miss something in the road. She ends up hitting a man with her car and doesn't realize it. She goes home and later on in the evening finds out that a man is impaled on the front of her jeep. She checks to see if he's alive and he grabs her. She freaks out and hits him with a golf club, as you do, and thinks she's killed him. At that point, she's not sure what to do, so she goes and buries the body in a shallow grave. The only person she tells about this is her boyfriend, so now he's involved too. When they go back to get the blanket she had wrapped the body in (because she's afraid to get caught) she finds her boyfriend is dead. The man is gone too. Then suddenly, he attacks her. He then straps her to the front of the jeep and begins to terrorize her. It just goes downhill from there or should I say, further downhill.

This movie has no point, no plot, no suspense, no horror, it's just a big ball of poop. There's nothing redeeming about it. I kind of wish I had never watched it. Maybe you'd enjoy it? It was recommended to me by a friend that I shouldn't watch it, but I didn't listen and took the time to watch it anyway. That's time I'll never get back. Also, how Kevin Corrigan got involved in this, I'll never know. I thought he was better than that. I should also mention the ending. I think the writer had a heart attach and died and they got a monkey to finish the script. Honestly, stay away. For the love of God, stay away. 2 out of 5 stars, only because I couldn't stop watching, no matter how bad it got.

(NEW thoughts: As I was transposing the original review, from it's oddly formatted style, I had flashbacks about this film. I don't know why it's so seared into my brain, but it seems to have left some sort of permanent impression that I can never wash out. Curse you 'Hit and Run' (2009)!)



If you would rather watch a better version of a similar story, check out: 'Struck' (with Mena Suvari)

On this day in horror history.... September 30th, 1988

On this day in horror history.... (this one is for Will) 'Elvira, Mistress of the Dark' is released. It's obviously a comedy horror film that was directed by James Signorelli and starred Cassandra Peterson. If you were ever a fan of any of the old horror hosts on television, then you were probably a fan of hers as well. (especially if you were a young boy who was turning into man) The film is a good time and never takes itself too seriously. Plus, Kansas City's own.... Edie McClurg!

The World Ends with MOLLY on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD October 2nd

Artsploitation Ponders What Happens After the Apocalypse

Molly Fights for Survival in Dutch Action/Sci-fi Thriller

Available Nationwide on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD October 2nd

Philadelphia, PA - Artsploitation has announced the home video release of the Dutch action/sci-fi thriller Molly.  The English-language first feature from co-directors Colinda Bongers and Thijs Meuwese, Molly premiered at the Imagine Film Festival, where Screen Anarchy raved, "like with Turbo Kid two years ago, ingenuity is the name of the game here".  Molly will be available nationwide October 2nd on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, including iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu and more.

Julia Batelaan makes her feature film debut as the titular Molly, the latest addition to the pantheon of teens standing between evil and the end of the world.


Molly | Official Trailer | Artsploitation Films from artsploitation on Vimeo.

The Blu-ray (SRP $19.99) and DVD (SRP $14.99) releases of Molly will exclusively include a feature length commentary with co-directors Colinda Bongers and Thijs Meuwese as well as a 30-minute making of featurette.

Your Required Holiday Horror Film for Native American Day, Friday, September 28th: 'Feast' (2005)

The ultimate skinwalker flick. Trapped in a remote tavern, a group of strangers (Navi Rawat, Krista Allen, Balthazar Getty, Henry Rollins) must band together for survival. Outside the bar, a horde of ravenous, flesh-eating monsters and trying to break in and dine on the frightened humans inside.

Release date: September 22, 2006 (USA)
Director: John Gulager
Box office: 658,573 USD
Executive producers: Wes Craven, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, MORE
Producers: Wes Craven, Joel Soisson, Chris Moore, Bob Weinstein, Larry Tanz, Mick Leahy

On this day in horror history.... September 28th, 1987

On this day in horror history.... 'Friday the 13th: The Series' made its debut. It's an American-Canadian horror television series that ran for three seasons, from October 3, 1987 to May 26, 1990 in first-run syndication. It has no tie in to the film franchise of the same name. Rather, it's more of an 'X-Files' type premise than one of a masked slasher hunting campers. Despite the unfortunate naming of the program, it was still quite good. Sadly, it didn't last but those three seasons and then vanished.

AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS in Theaters 10/5

Dark Sky Films Proudly Announces

'AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS' 

IN THEATERS AND ON VOD 

OCTOBER 5, 2018   

From director Johnny Kevorkian and
starring David Bradley (Dr. Who, Game of Thrones)

Take the techno-paranoia of Black Mirror, add the intergalactic body horror of John Carpenter's THE THING, adapt them into a VHS board game, and wrap it all up in a bitingly satirical Christmas-movie package, and what do you get? Await Further Instructions from British director Johnny Kevorkian and co-starring David Bradley of Game Of Thrones, Doctor Who, and Harry Potter fame.  It'll be in theaters and on VOD October 5th from Dark Sky Films.

Film Synopsis
It's Christmas Day and the Milgram family wake to find a mysterious black substance surrounding their house. Something monumental is clearly happening right outside their door, but what exactly - an industrial accident, a terrorist attack, nuclear war? Descending into terrified arguments, they turn on the television, desperate for any information. On screen a message glows ominously: 'Stay Indoors and Await Further Instructions'. As the television exerts  an ever more sinister grip, their paranoia escalates into bloody carnage. 

Your September 27th Horror for the Day by Shaenon K. Garrity

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.

On this day in horror history.... September 26th, 1962

On this day in horror history.... 'Carnival of Souls' is released. It's an American independent horror film written, produced, and directed by Herk Harvey, and starring Candace Hilligoss. Filmed in Lawrence, Kansas and Salt Lake City, Carnival of Souls was shot on a budget of$33,000. Being a Kansas City, Missouri boy myself, this film holds a special place in my heart. It's kind of a hidden gem of the time and a film that is unique, in and of itself.

THE BOAT Sails into Fantastic Fest for Its World Premiere

Winston Azzopardi's The Boat Sets Sail for Fantastic Fest

Nautical Supernatural Thriller to World Premiere This Month

Austin, TX - Latina Pictures and Carnaby International are proud to announce the world premiere of Winston Azzopardi's The Boat.  The longtime producer makes his directorial debut alongside his son and collaborator, Joe Azzopardi, who co-wrote and stars in the film.  The Boat will screen for the first time at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, preceded by the short film Albatross Soup.

Building on a tradition of eerie, ghostly British tales, The Boat is a menacing thrill ride that pits a violent survival drama against the supernatural.  In the leading role, Joe Azzopardi stars as the fisherman, a practical man whose quick thinking and sea-faring experience ensure that his fight against the unnatural force is more than even.

Full Moon Fever September 24 Harvest Moon (Colonial American)

Tonight's full moon is brought to you by the Creepercast with the recommended Full Moon Feature of the evening...

Future lawman Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) fights Lord Caliban who has come back to rid his castle of the Tunnel Rats.

Written by Peter David, directed by David Nutter, and starring Tim Thomerson as the time-traveling "trancer hunter" Jack Deth. It marked, to date, Thomerson's last appearance as Jack Deth, excluding his cameo in Evil Bong. The fifth installment of the Trancers series was filmed back-to-back with Trancers 4: Jack of Swords and is the fourth entry released under the Full Moon Features banner.

On this day in horror history.... September 24th, 2004

On this day in horror history.... 'Shaun of the Dead' is released. A romantic comedy horror film with zombies, directed by Edgar Wright, written by Wright and Simon Pegg, and starring Pegg and Nick Frost. This was the first in Wright and Pegg's 'Three Flavours Cornetto' trilogy. It's also one of the best zombie films of the past 20 years and a comedy to boot. It's incredibly well done, hilariously funny and has some genuinely terrifying sequences. If you want to see a perfect blend of all of the elements into one perfect storm.... then this is the film you need to see.

my 'classic' thoughts on.... 'Thankskilling'

Dragging the depths of my old horror reviews, I thought they might need to see the light of day again. So, I bring you some of Joel's 'Classic' horror reviews....

Let me start by saying, this movie is AWESOME! I'll begin this review by telling you that I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. This film is so freaking fun and funny that I can't help but love it. It's on par with some of the best of the Troma movies. It's terrible, but in a terribly wonderful way. I mean, it's about a killer turkey, what's not to love? The turkey talks and has one liners out the butt. He swears like a sailor and this movie starts out crazy and just keeps going crazier from there. I mean, the start of the movie involves a pilgrim woman with her breasts hanging out, being chased by a killer turkey. He makes a lame joke and then proceeds to dispatch her. It's just so strange that it works. It's obvious that the turkey is a giant puppet. The film makers don't even try to hide it. The scenes are over the top and gross. Things that you would never even dream of happening.... happen in this film. Like a turkey fornicating or using shotgun or getting urinated on by a dog. Have I gotten your attention yet? If not, then this may not be the movie for you.

The basic premise is that a Native American shaman creates this turkey to avenge the wrongs that had happened to his people. Every 505 years, the turkey comes back to exact more revenge. It just so happens that on his most recent visit for murder, five kids are on Thanksgiving break and happen upon him. At that point, the demonic turkey is on the hung. He slowly tracks them down one by one (We, the viewer, have no idea how) and kills them off throwing out a one liner in triumph.

In my mind, I think the writer got really high and just had fun letting it all flow. There are no boundries and nothing is sacred. Just look at the poster for it and you'll understand. One of my favorite scenes involves the father of one of the kids, who also happens to be the sheriff. The turkey comes to his house with a pair of Groucho glasses on and the sheriff thinks he's one of his daughters friends. The sit down to have coffee and talk. It's a very bizarre scene where I kept asking myself, “Why is the sheriff not noticing that this is a giant, talking turkey?” I'll never know why. Then, the turkey kills the sheriff and makes a mask out of his face. He puts it on as a disguise, along with the sheriff's ten gallon hat. When the kids show up to find a book on how to possibly stop the murdering bird, they don't even notice that the turkey is already in the house posing as the girls father. Its' hilarious!

I cannot recommend this one enough. If you're a fan of bad movies that are so bad that they're good again, like a Troma film, then is a big winner for you. Stop reading this review and go spend an hour and six minutes to revel in the craziness. You'll thank me when you're done. End of story.

(NEW thoughts: I've seen this several more times since this review, as well as it's sequel. They are bat crap crazy and I love every second of them. While they may not be everyone's cup of tea, for the initiated.... they are like winning the golden ticket.)



This is nothing else quite like this film, except for maybe something out of the Lloyd Kaufman catalog.

JAMIE-LYNN SIGLER IS TARGETED BY THE TROPHY-HUNTING 1% IN MEGAN FREELS JOHNSTON’S THRILLER “HUNTING SEASON”

Look At Me Films today announced additional casting for “HUNTING SEASON,” with Jamie-Lynn Sigler (“THE SOPRANOS,”“ENTOURAGE”) set to star alongside Deanna Russo (“BEING HUMAN,” “KNIGHT RIDER”). Bruce Davison, Sean Maher and Paula Garces have also joined the cast for the third film from genre director Megan Freels Johnston (“THE ICE CREAM TRUCK,” “REBOUND”).

Russo is set to play near-desperately single Piper opposite Jamie-Lynn (“THE SOPRANOS,” “ENTOURAGE”), who will play her roommate Abby, a street-smart social worker. Frequent Joss Whedon collaborator Sean Maher (“FIREFLY,” “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING”) will play Piper’s dashing new boyfriend, James. When their romantic weekend together goes awry, Abby (Sigler) must track her to his family’s hunting lodge before it’s too late. The real danger in this film isn’t being chased in the woods by a psycho in a mask—it’s the 1%.

Bruce Davison (“X-MEN,” “INSIDIOUS”) is set to play James’ father, a wealthy hunter whose desires have gone beyond “big game” and Paula Garces (“HAROLD AND KUMAR”) also joins the cast alongside frequent Johnston collaborator Hilary Barraford (“GO FOR SISTERS,” “UNITED STATES OF TARA”), who also serves as executive producer.

Johnston’s previous film THE ICE CREAM TRUCK, a horror comedy about a bored housewife, was released last year to critical acclaim. HUNTING SEASON will continue Johnston’s series of films that explore the unique fears that women face in today’s society—a departure from typicalindie horror fare, which often looks only at the part (or parts) rather than the whole woman. HUNTING SEASON is set to shoot this fall.

About Look At Me Films...

Look At Me Films, an independent production company, produces character-driven films of all genres and gives a voice to independent filmmakers. Founded in 2007 by Megan Freels Johnston, Look At Me Films has produced several critically acclaimed films, including Sundance short film SPARKS and cult horror favorite REBOUND. Most recently, Look At Me Films produced THE ICE CREAM TRUCK, starring Deanna Russo.

On this day in horror history.... September 20th, 1975

On this day in horror history.... Asia Argento is born. She's an Italian actress, director, singer and model. She's also the daughter of world famous horror filmmaker Dario Argento. She's a fascinating talent that sadly seems to be under utilized in American cinema.

"Welcome to Hell" starring Bill Oberst Jr. and many others coming to DVD!

Horror anthology "Welcome to Hell", formerly entitled "Tales of Hell", has been acquired for release by Wild Eye Releasing and will see its official DVD distribution on October 9, 2018.

Cast members include Bill Oberst Jr., Nicholas Adam Clark, Calico Cooper, Kim Sønderholm, Dmitri Schuyler-Linch, Tracey Decresie, Gabriel Lee, Cara Maurizi, Tim Moran and many, many others..

Welcome to Hell consists of seven short films – "After Hours", "Dead Therapy", "Family Time", "Lucid", "Maternal Instincts", "Narrative" and "Slit" – from filmmakers Michael Aguiar, Sam Mason-Bell, Henrik Bjerregaard Clausen, James Cullen Bressack, Brad Bruce, Colin Clarke, Jeff Kacmarynski and Tony Newton.

For more information please look up https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6338506/

Welcome to Hell - A terrifying coven of tales designed to take viewers into the nether reaches of insanity, shock and horror.

Pre-order in the US at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DP6Q1CP/ or from Canada at https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07DP6Q1CP/

On this day in horror history.... September 18th, 1963

On this day in horror history.... 'The Haunting' is released. A British horror film directed and produced by Robert Wise and adapted from the 1959 novel 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It starred Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, and Russ Tamblyn. The film depicts the experiences of a small group of people invited by a paranormal investigator to investigate a purportedly haunted house and has one hell of a poster. A film that's been re-told more than once, but a good story is a good story.

Denise Richards & Mischa Barton Battle a Haunted RV In Tom Nagel's The ToyBox

Los Angeles, CA - Skyline Entertainment and Steel House Productions are proud to announce the day and date release of Tom Nagel's The ToyBox, starring Denise Richards ("The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills", Starship Troopers, The World is Not Enough) and Mischa Barton ("The O.C.", The Sixth Sense).  Reuniting the team behind 2016's ClownTown, Nagel's supernatural thriller follows an ill-fated family on a road trip intended to bring them back together, but the possessed RV they're traveling in may destroy them all. 

On September 18th, the film will be available nationwide on Blu-ray, DVD and Cable and Digital HD, including Amazon Instant, iTunes, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, Comcast, Optimum, Dish, Google Play and more.

The ToyBox stars Denise Richards, Mischa Barton, Matt Mercer (Beyond the Gates, The Mind's Eye), Jeff Denton ("NCIS", "Criminal Minds"), Brian Nagel (Katy Perry's Roar), Greg Violand (Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice) , Malika Michelle, David H. Greathouse, and Katie Keene.  The ToyBox is directed by Tom Nagel from a screenplay written by Jeff Denton. Jeff Miller (Inoperable, Ouija House) and the Nagel Brothers contributed to the story. The Nagel brothers produced along with Miller (through Millman Productions) and Denton. Jim Jacobsen, Eric Brenner, and Ronnie D. Lee are executive producers.

Jennifer (Richards) and her family go on a summer road trip in a used RV with her husband's estranged father and brother. Along the way, they find Samantha (Barton) and her brother, broken down on the side of the highway. After driving into the middle of nowhere, the RV takes on a mind of its own, crashing and stranding them in the scorching and isolated desert. Little by little, the unsuspecting group of travelers is blindsided by the terrible secrets within the walls of the RV and find themselves fighting to survive.

The Blu-ray and DVD releases of The ToyBox will exclusively include a feature-length commentary with director Tom Nagel, producer Jeff Miller, producer/writer/actor Jeff Denton and producer/actor Brian Nagel and a behind the scenes featurette.

Your Required Holiday Horror Film for Stepfamily Day, Sunday, September 16th: 'The Stepfather' (1987)

Jerry Blake (Terry O'Quinn) is a family man, but he happens to have a series of families, with each one on the receiving end of his murderous ways. When Jerry sets his sights on a lovely widow named Susan (Shelley Hack) and her headstrong daughter, Stephanie (Jill Schoelen), it appears that his brutal pattern of killings will continue. However, Stephanie begins to suspect that there's something wrong with the seemingly well-adjusted Jerry, and a violent confrontation is inevitable.

Release date: January 23, 1987 (USA)
Director: Joseph Ruben
Box office: 2.4 million USD
Cinematography: John Lindley

my 'classic' thoughts on.... 'Dead in 3 Days'

Dragging the depths of my old horror reviews, I thought they might need to see the light of day again. So, I bring you some of Joel's 'Classic' horror reviews....

This of the Austrian version of 'I Know What You Did Last Summer', but with more artistic merit.... and it's in German. That's pretty much all I can say about this one. It was a 3 out of 5 star movie, primarily for the film making. However, it was way too close the afformentioned movie for comfort. I suppose you could add a dash of the original 'Friday the 13th' from 1980, but not that good. I wasn't at all impressed. The cinematography was the only worthwhile part.

(NEW thoughts: I have no recollection of this film at all, other than the poster. I guess it left a lasting impression?)



If you watch this, you might also want to watch: 'I Know What You Did Last Summer', 'Friday the 13th' (1980) and 'I Still Know What You Did Last Summer'

On this day in horror history.... September 16th, 2005

On this day in horror history.... 'Cry_Wolf' is released. A early 2000's horror film directed by Jeff Wadlow starring Julian Morris, Jon Bon Jovi, Lindy Booth, Jared Padalecki and Gary Cole. This film, as I remember, is far better than it should have been. Considering the time when it came out, it was a virtual wasteland for horror lovers. At some point, this needs to be seen again. I want to know if it still holds up.

Jeff's Really Short Reviews Presents: WILDLING (2018)

Brad Dourif and Liv Tyler helm this modern Grimms style fairy tail about a child that could be more than she appears. Relative newcomer Bel Powley plays the coming of age monster to be deftly. I found Liv to be as laid back in her role as usual and Brad stuck to tough love surliness. Director/cowriter  Fritz Böhm has created an excellent atmospheric exploration into the human condition versus monster that would no doubt make Hans Christian Anderson proud. That much said, from the moment of discovery to the end it felt like WILDLING was an extension of Jack Ketchum and Andrew van den Houten's 'Offspring'. More likely comparisons can be made to the brilliant Lucky McKee sequel 'The Woman'. Powley's transformation looks eerily simlar to McIntosh's character to the point I imagined it was somehow related.

If, like me, you're a sucker for dark fairy tales or a fan of either the 'Offspring' and/or 'The Woman' than WILDLING is a worthy monster flick for you. Just don't feel bad when the the true monster turns out to be you.

Jeff's really short reviews are designed to briefly highlight those movies that Jeff either loves, or in some cases, hates, without any fluff in between.

Scooter McCrae's SAINT FRANKENSTEIN - Acclaimed 17-minute horror film now free on Vimeo!

In the latest from legendary underground NYC writer/director Scooter McCrae (SHATTER DEAD, SIXTEEN TONGUES), a call girl visits a badly-scarred client at a rundown motel and gets more than she bargained for once clothing is shed and a mysterious history behind a legendary name begins to unfold.

Produced by Alex Kuciw (V/H/S) and starring exploitation icon Tina Krause and model Melanie Gaydos (INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY), SAINT FRANKENSTEIN has won awards around the world, screening at numerous festivals and raking in countless accolades for its stunning cinematography, introspective performances, and powerful, dark melancholy that evokes filmmaking of bygone decades. The film's sumptuous score from frequent Fulci collaborator Fabio Frizzi (CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD, THE BEYOND) is a stunning, modern ode to classic Eurohorror.

SAINT FRANKENSTEIN is now available for free at Vimeo, and is suggested for mature audiences. It features strong language, violence, and nudity.

WATCH SAINT FRANKENSTEIN HERE...

Saint Frankenstein - Short Film - 17 Minutes from DJANGO MEDIA on Vimeo.

On this day in horror history.... September 14th, 1960

On this day in horror history.... 'The Little Shop of Horrors' is released. A horror comedy film directed by Roger Corman and a very young Jack Nicholson as Wilbur Force. This was long before it became a popular musical and a film I remember seeing on television, at a very young age. If you've never seen it, you really should.

Mischa Barton's THE BASEMENT headed to theaters and VOD this September

Don’t be ‘Split’ on your decision to see The Basement this September!

Mischa Barton (“The OC”, The Sixth Sense) stars in a unique new horror film from Brian M.Conley and Nathan Ives, premiering on digital from 9/15 from Uncork’d Entertainment.

Craig is abducted and wakes up in a basement. His captor, Bill, is a twisted serial killer who wishes to reenact his own capture, with Craig playing the part of Bill and Bill playing everyone else. As Bill tortures Craig, he cycles through a number of personas, all while Craig tries desperately to find a way into Bill's pathology in order to save himself.

Featuring “stellar lead performances” (Dread Central) from the cast – which also includes Jackson Davis, Cayleb Long, Tracie Thoms, Bailey Anne Borders and Sarah Nicklin – The Basement is ripe for exploring this fall.

The Basement gets a 10-market theatrical and digital release from Uncork’d Entertainment.

On this day in horror history.... September 12th, 1958

On this day in horror history.... 'The Blob' is released. An American independent science-fiction horror film directed by Irvin Yeaworth and starring none other than Mr. Steven McQueen himself. This one oozed its way into people's hearts until it came out their ears. A true classic in every sense of the word.

DARK SKY FILMS Announces the release of DEAD NIGHT on DVD

DEAD NIGHT

Comes to DVD on Sept. 11, 2018

James and his wife Casey load up their teenage kids and head to a remote cabin in Oregon for a weekend trip. When James ventures into the dark, snowy forest in search of firewood, he encounters a woman hidden in the frozen terrain and barely alive. James brings her back to the cabin for help, but the family has no way of knowing that the woman's presence will be the catalyst for a series of horrifying events and bloody carnage that will change their lives forever. Mixing original storytelling with timeless supernatural elements,

DEAD NIGHT- the directorial debut of Bradford Baruh - features a stellar cast of genre favorites including Barbara Crampton Re-Animator), Brea Grant (A Ghost Story)and AJ Bowen (You're Next)and delivers a wild and terrifying weekend away. The Dark Sky Films 2018 theatrical release premiered at the Fantastic Fest. Jennie Kermode of

Eye for Filmcalled it "an ambitious film whose strength is in its strangeness."

About Dark Sky Films
Dark Sky Films is an independent film production and distribution label founded in 2008, working with emerging talent as well as established veterans to develop, package, produce and finance feature film and episodic television projects. Representing films from some of the most talented directors working today, such as Ti West's The House of the Deviland The Innkeepers, and Jim Mickle's Stake Land, Dark Sky continues to identify original talent and projects to bring a vibrant slate of films to the world market, with such recent releases and productions such as We Are Still Here, Deathgasm, Applesauce andEmelie.

Sodom & Chimera Productions Announces DAUGHTERS OF DISMAY

Austria --Sodom & Chimera Productions has announced principal photography of Daughter of Dismay, the latest blending of arthouse and horror from experimental filmmaker James Quinn.  Daughter of Dismay will start principal photography on September 22nd, deep in the Austrian woods. 

Of his latest work, Quinn said, "After having directed several very experimental works like Flesh of the Void, The Temple of Lilith and Sulphur for Leviathan, all of which combined very raw emotions and extremely controversial themes with arthouse-heavy 16mm cinematography, mostly without clear story lines, I realized the potential of arthouse cinema.  Many people seemed to love the focus on visual filmmaking, even people who otherwise weren't interested in the extreme experimental aspects. It was for this reason that I made it my goal to create a short film that still focuses on these elegant, painting-like visuals, but does so on a much larger scale, with a very linear story and non-experimental execution, something that even the most traditional horror fans will be able to enjoy. The decision to shoot on 65mm was made to convey the most breathtaking and epic style the film could have, a style most people know from classic blockbusters, combining it with classic horror elements as well as those of gut-punch dramas."

Quinn has hired Ziryab Ben Brahem as the director of photography.  The score of the film will be created by Joseph Bishara, the mastermind behind the musical compositions of films like the Insidious series, The Conjuring 1 & 2, Annabelle 1 & 2 and Dark Skies.  The visual effects will be created by producer Justin Schenck, who has previously worked on the effects of Swordfish and the cult TV series "The Exorcist".

Daughter of Dismay tells the surreal and mystical tale of an emotionally broken witch. She enters the darkness of the woods to fulfill her biggest desire, for which she takes extreme and radical measures that will have sinister consequences. Portrayed in elegant painting-like, the film is an epic, moving and emotional trip through a world of witchcraft and occultism, leading to a heartbreaking and melancholic finale.


Daughter of Dismay will premiere on the film festival circuit in 2019.