Scream 5 will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet (the excellent Ready or Not; Southbound; V/H/S) with James Vanderbilt (The Amazing Spider-Man; Zodiac; Darkness Falls) and Guy Busick (Ready or Not; Stan Against Evil TV series) co-scripting.

Spyglass Media Group and Paramount Pictures have aligned to co-produce the relaunch of the Scream franchise with David Arquette confirmed to reprise his role as Deputy Dewey. Other cast news and plot details have yet to emerge.

Producers are Project X Entertainment’s aforementioned Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein and William Sherak, with franchise creator Kevin Williamson and Chad Villella acting as executive producers.

A 2021 release is planned with principal photography expected to begin late summer in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Source: Variety

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Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland is a 1989 American slasher horror feature film directed by Michael A. Simpson from a screenplay by Fritz Gordon. It is the second sequel to Sleepaway Camp and was shot back-to-back over a tight six-week schedule with Sleepaway Camp II. It is also known as Nightmare Vacation III

The Double Helix Films production stars Pamela Springsteen (Sleepaway Camp II), Tracy Griffith, Michael J. Pollard (American Gothic; Night Visitor; 1989;  Heartstopper), Mark Oliver (Dance of the Dead; The Crazies), Haynes Brooke and Sandra Dorsey (1976: Grizzly; 2004 TV Frankenstein).

Buy Blu-ray + DVD combo: Amazon.com

Plot:

Maria (Kashina Kessler) is heading to camp. However, she is chased into an alleyway by a large truck, driven by serial killer Angela Baker (Pamela Springsteen), before being run over. Angela disposes of the body in a trash compactor, before posing as Maria and boarding the bus to Camp New Horizon, which was once Camp Rolling Hills where Angela massacred campers the year before…

Reviews [click links to read more]:

“Once again, there’s simply a series of vignettes where Angela takes advantage of the camp splitting into smaller “focus” groups, visiting each of them one by one and simply paring down the population victim by victim. There’s actually an honest to goodness goal for Angela this time out, too, but even that’s unnecessary—this is one absurd killing spree that is all about the journey, not the destination.” Blu-ray.com

“A returning Pamela Springsteen tries her darndest despite a limiting script, but the majority of the acting is sadly woeful. Much like its predecessor, Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland is notable for featuring a female killer who we follow from the very beginning, which results in a lack of suspense but a fairly enjoyable time.” Flickering Myth

“It’s just not believable that Angela could get away with what she does in this film let down the previous two. There is no imagination involved with everything feeling toned down & cheaper. Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland is one to avoid. It’s a pointless & mentally draining watch.” Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

“The best part about Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland (besides Jill Terashita) is when I hit “eject” on my remote control.  Skip this turd and skip Part 2 also. The original is a wonderful, off-kilter 80’s slasher classic, but these two sequels both blow dead dogs.” Happyotter

“There are a few bright spots, such as a snotty bigoted rich bitch being flown up a flagpole, and the torching of a nylon tent is equally novel in watching just how quickly it all goes up. But on the whole, Bill “Splat” Johnson isn’t given as much leeway and/or time to make the executions as memorably juicy this time around (and what grue he did strew was clipped by an overeager MPAA).” Horror 101

“If you’re looking for a plot or even coherent ideas then you’re going to be disappointed, but anyone who enjoys comic films about mass murder should have fun […] It’s not as deliberately weird as the first Sleepaway Camp, but it could have been a lot worse.” Jim Harper, Legacy of Blood: A Comprehensive Guide to Slasher Movies

Buy Legacy of Blood from Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

“It simultaneously confirms and resists the frequent, superficial criticism that this genre is full of trashy Xeroxes: yes, Sleepaway Camp III is more of the same, but it’s also a lesser, second-generation copy that proves capturing lightning in a bottle isn’t as easy as it looks in this genre.” Oh, the Horror!

“Don’t watch Sleepaway Camp 3 expecting too much in the way of story or production value though. Just take this in the cheesiness and try not to think too much when you watch it. Like the previous entry […] this one just exists for pure fun and it should be viewed that way – just a stupidly fun movie. Ronnie Angel, Slashed Dreams: The Ultimate Guide to Slasher Films

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

“The plot was actually quite clever, bringing rich and poor together to try and create a harmonious atmosphere between them. Ultimately it doesn’t work and the owners aren’t the nice people they portray themselves to be […] The death scenes are highly original and it features a high body count to keep you entertained…” SomewhatNerdy.com

“Watch Sleepaway Camp II first. If you enjoyed it and you want more of the same, then you know what to do. If it wasn’t your mug of joe, stay away from the third film because there’s nothing new here (other than the odd racist jibe) that will change your mind.” That Was a Bit Mental

“While Springsteen is her usual appealing self (albeit with a sorrowful blow-out), it looks as if Unhappy Campers took the lion’s share of the budget, and FX work this time has borne the brunt of the cutbacks: Several victims are killed with a stick, and large parts of the grislier murders were either cut or occurred off-camera, leaving the film barren of its predecessor’s gory humour.” Vegan Voorhees

“Sleepaway Camp 3: Teenage Wasteland just isn’t good. Simpson and Gordon delivered a really entertaining time with part two but seem to have forgotten what made that one work. It’s missing the wacky perversions and decent deaths of the first flick and the self-aware satire of the second. It’s just a vapid, unimaginative follow-up and a useless one at that.” The Video Graveyard

” …pretty much a waste of a third installment due to its rush into production. Pamela Springsteen is perhaps the film’s saving grace as she does her best to once again give it her all, but the rushed script and production is the issue that plagued this and some uninventive kill scenes that cannot top either of its predecessors.” World Film Geek

Choice dialogue: 

Snowboy: “What a dildo!”

Snowboy: “He’s trying to get into that rich skank’s pants.”

Release:

Sleepaway Camp III was released on VHS in the United States by Nelson Entertainment on December 15, 1989. The film has been released twice on DVD in the United States by Anchor Bay Entertainment; first in 2002 as a single DVD, as well as in the Sleepaway Camp Survival Kit. Scream Factory released the film and Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers on Blu-ray disc on June 9th, 2015.

Cast and characters:

• Pamela Springsteen … Angela
• Tracy Griffith … Marcia
• Michael J. Pollard … Herman
• Mark Oliver … Tony
• Haynes Brooke … Bobby
• Sandra Dorsey … Lilly
• Daryl Wilcher … Riff
• Kim Wall … Cindy
• Kyle Holman … Snowboy
• Cliff Brand … Barney
• Kashina Kessler … Maria
• Randi Layne … Tawny
• Chung Yen Tsay … Greg
• Jarrett Ellis Beal … Peter (as Jarrett Beal)
• Sonya Maddox … Anita
• Jill Terashita … Arab
• Stacie Lambert … Jan
• Charles Lawlor … Paramedic
• Jerry Griffin … Policeman
• Mike Nagel … Ambulance Driver
• Richard Crabbe … TV News Cameraman (uncredited)

Technical details:

• 84 minutes
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85: 1
• Audio: Mono

The post Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland (1989) reviews and overview appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

Mardi Gras Massacre is a 1978 American horror feature film written, produced and directed by Jack Weis (Crypt of Dark Secrets). The movie stars Curt Dawson, Gwen Arment, William Metzo and Laura Misch Owens. It is an unofficial semi-remake of Herschell Gordon Lewis’ trailblazing gore film Blood Feast (1963).

Review:

A serial killer is stalking New Orleans and…

Wait a minute.  Does this sound familiar?  Hmmm… okay, sorry, let’s continue.

… the police are powerless to stop him…

Okay, I swear, I think I’ve described this situation before.  But, anyway, to continue with Mardi Gras Massacre:

…despite being the most obvious serial killer in history, the murderer is able to move undetected through the Big Easy.  His motive?  Human sacrifices to an evil power…

Okay, stop! I just realized that I’m basically rewriting my earlier review of Mardi Gras for the Devil.  Despite the fact that there’s a 15-year age difference between the two films, both Mardi Gras Massacre and Mardi Gras for the Devil have the same basic plot.  A psycho wanders around New Orleans and commits occult-themed murders while an intense cop tries to stop him.  Eventually, the cop’s lover is targeted by the killer…

I mean, it’s the exact same plot!  The only real difference is that Mardi Gras for the Devil stars recognisable actors like Michael Ironside and Robert Davi while Mardi Gras Massacre is a low-budget obscurity starring no-one that you have ever heard of.

In Mardi Gras Massacre, the killer’s name is John and he’s played by an actor named William Metzo. John spends all of his time looking for prostitutes and strippers who he can sacrifice to an Aztec God. John has an altar in his apartment. The altar, of course, is surrounded by red curtains. As I watched the film, I wondered where he got the altar. Even more importantly, I wondered how he could fit that huge altar into what appeared to be a pretty small apartment.

John manages to sacrifice quite a few women without anyone becoming overly suspicious of him.  This is despite the fact that John spends almost the entire movie wearing a three-piece suit and glaring at everyone he meets.  When John steps into a bar, the first thing that he asks the bartender is where he can find the “evilest” prostitute. No one seems to find that strange. Then again, New Orleans is a very forgiving town.

Anyway, Sergeant Frank Herbert (Curt Dawson) is in charge of the investigation and, as soon as he shows up with his pornstache and his hairy chest, we know that we’re watching a movie from the 70s. Sgt. Herbert falls in love with a prostitute named Sherry (Gwen Arment).  Halfway through the film, we get an extended falling in love montage. New Orleans looks really pretty in the montage but, at the same time, the film has just spent 45 minutes establishing it as a city where a serial killer can ask for the “evilest” prostitute without raising any suspicion. So, romantic montage outside, I have a hard time believing that Mardi Gras Massacre did much for New Orleans tourism.

I should point out that, much as with the case of Mardi Gras for the Devil, there’s not really a whole lot of Mardi Gras to be found in Mardi Gras Massacre. Towards the end of the movie, we get a chase through a Mardi Gras parade. It’s obvious that the filmmakers filmed the chase during the actual parade so, from a historical point of view, it’s interesting to see how Mardi Gras was celebrated in the 70s. At the same time, throughout the entire scene, drunk people are waving at the camera.  (One person even tries to grab the lens as they walk by.)

On a positive note, Mardi Gras Massacre features one of the best trashy disco scenes ever.  As well, the version that I watched had Spanish subtitles and I’m happy to say that my Spanish is apparently getting pretty good! As for the rest of the film, it’s a movie that will be best appreciated by grindhouse aficionados.

It’s a low-budget, poorly acted, thoroughly silly film and its obviously fake gore managed to get the film banned in the UK. It’s a historical oddity and, like many grindhouse films, its appeal mostly comes from watching it and saying, “Someone actually made this and managed to get it into theaters.”  At the very least, it will hopefully remind you to not admit to being the “evilest” anything during Mardi Gras.

Lisa Marie Bowman, guest reviewer via Through the Shattered Lens

Buy DVD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Other reviews:

“The absurd parade of downbeat female exploitation and violence in Mardi Gras Massacre (strip to the pubes, strap to a table, fondle with oils, disembowel, rinse, then repeat) may come across as off-putting; that is, if you can stop laughing long enough to notice. In the span of 90 minutes, Mardi Gras Massacre weaves a gut-busting epic of illogical, dirt cheap sleaze.” Bleeding Skull!

“As an almost more-inept version of H.G. Lewis’ Blood Feast, this massacre simply massacres any notions of suspense, disgust, or engaging storytelling. With skanky, naked hos, beyond repetitive gore, and mucho stock footage of a Mardi gras parade, the movie certainly satisfies the need for those cruddy intangibles, just be aware that the tags for this movie include: plodding, cheap, boring, and stupid.” DVD Talk

“Mardi Gras Massacre has far too many faults and shortcomings to recommend as a good movie, but as a trashy slasher to be watched for only laughs, I do think it has slight merit. If you can get through the tedium of the kills and the sleazy feeling that oozes from nearly every line of dialogue, I think there is a tiny amount of cheap fun to be had with this one.” Oh, the Horror!

“The gore scenes are pretty fun, with gigantic cow hearts being pulled out of latex chests with surprising frequency, and the film manages to capture some interesting and seedy atmosphere any time it heads out into the streets of the city […]  The movie never really comes close to making sense, but if you’re a trash film fanatic, well, they don’t come a whole lot better than this stupid piece of sleazy cinema.” Rock! Shock! Pop!

“On the surface at least, Mardi Gras Massacre offers everything the fans of exploitation find so immensely appealing. Graphic gore, excessive nudity, a masked maniac and the added bonus of a ‘video-nasty’ disqualification – it’s all here for the taking baby! But scratch beneath that glossy veneer and what you’re left with is a vial of tedium-drenched campiness that is so beguilingly awful that it almost defies description.” A Slash Above

” …this most definitely isn’t a movie suitable for all tastes, maturity levels, mental states, social sensibilities (strong feminists would do especially well to avoid this one unless they’re actively seeking to have their blood pressure raised for reasons I can’t even begin to fathom), or political persuasions — it knows it’s there to do an admittedly unpleasant job and it gets in, does it, and then gets the hell back out. Call it unflinching misogyny-by-the-numbers. It’s brutish, nasty, sleazy, unapologetic, and cheap.” Trash Film Guru

Choice dialogue:

Barman: “Some weirdo is making meatballs out of hookers.”

Censorship:

Mardi Gras Massacre was on the British Government’s list of so-called ‘video nasties’ in the 1980s and has not been resubmitted to the BBFC for a certificate since.

Cast and characters:

Curt Dawson … Detective Sergeant Frank Abraham
Gwen Arment … Sherry
William Metzo … John (as Bill Metzo)
Laura Misch Owens … Shirley Anderson (as Laura Misch)
Cathryn Lacey … Dancer with Monk
Nancy Dancer … Nineteen-year-old Dancer
Butch Benit … Sam the Barman
Wayne Mack … Police Captain
Ronald Tanet … Detective Sergeant Mayer
Donn Davison … Doctor Lewis the Antiquities Expert (uncredited)
John Klisavage … Man in Tuxedo with Sherry (uncredited)

Technical details:

97 minutes
Aspect ratio: 1.78: 1

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‘Secrets can bind. Karma can be killer.’

What Goes Around is a 2020 Australian slasher horror feature film about a timid college student who discovers her crush could be a notorious serial killer.

Written and directed by Sam Hamilton, making his feature debut, the Severed Minds production stars Catherine Morvell, Jesse Bouma, Gabrielle Pearson and Charles Jazz Terrier.

Reviews [click links to read more]:

“Hamilton’s direction is uninspired but functional, however, the script fails to effectively build the cast of characters beyond caricatures or create any real stakes throughout the story […] the reveal is obvious from the get-go so it’s hard to get behind the characters as they fumble for the clear answer.” Bloody Flicks

“Not that the lack of such subtleties proves an anchor for What Goes Around, as Hamilton knows what makes the genre tick. The balance of charismatic performers, a bloody body count and the occasional wink to the audience in service of the mid-level mystery plot is what rejuvenated the slice-&-dice romp 25 years ago, and may do again.” Screen-Space

Release:

What Goes Around is available globally via Genflix and Amazon Prime.

Cast and characters:

Catherine Morvell … Erin Macneil
Jesse Bouma … Alex Harrison
Gabrielle Pearson … Rachel Pearson
Charles Jazz Terrier … Cameron Bendel
Taylor Pearce … Jake Grant
Aly Zhang … Cara Michaels
Maximillian Johnson … Tom Roberts
Ace Whitman … Marnie Stone
Tim Smith … Cafe Manager
Erina Yamada … Heidi
Tim K Williams … Max
Laura Lillywhite … Cyclist
Christopher O’Brien … Snuff film victim #1
Sheree Perkins … Snuff film victim #2
Mathew Scerri … Snuff film victim #3

Technical details:

78 minutes

More Australian movies

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Absurd is a 1981 Italian horror feature film directed by Aristide Massaccesi [as Joe D’Amato] and written by Luigi Montefiori [as George Eastman]. The movie also stars Eastman, alongside Annie Belle and Edmund Purdom (Don’t Open Till Christmas; Pieces; Frankenstein’s Castle of Freaks). The original Italian title is Rosso Sangue [“Red Blood”].

On its release, some critics accused the film of being nothing more than an Italian version of Halloween. There are some similarities between the two films – references to a ‘Bogeyman’ and a babysitter and her changes in peril from a silent and seemingly indestructible killer. Director D’Amato also attempted to make the film more attractive to the American market by setting it in the States, even though it was clearly shot in Italy.

Plot:

Mikos Stenopolis (George Eastman) is a man who was experimented on in a church-sanctioned scientific experiment that gave him a healing factor but inadvertently drove him insane. The Vatican priest (Edmund Purdom) who helped create him pursues the homicidal Mikos to a small American town, attempting to kill him by impaling him on a set of railings. With his intestines spilling out it seems he may be dead.

However, Stenopolis later revives in a local hospital. The madman escapes after brutally murdering a nurse and goes on a killing spree. The priest informs the hospital and authorities that the only way to kill Mikos is to ‘destroy the cerebral mass’.

While attacking a motorcyclist, Mikos is struck by a hit-and-run driver. The driver of the car, Mr Bennett, and his wife are going to a friend’s house to watch a football game, leaving their two children at home with a babysitter. Their daughter Katia is confined to her bed because of a problem with her spine, while her younger brother believes that the ‘boogeyman’ is coming to get him…

Absurd was one of the infamous British so-called ‘video nasties‘ and became one of 39 titles to be successfully prosecuted in 1984. It was originally released in both a cut and an uncut version with identical sleeve designs by Medusa Home Video in 1981.

Absurd is in many ways a ‘non-sequel’ to Anthropophagus the Beast, as the only real connections between the two films – besides director Joe D’Amato – is the presence of a homicidal man (played by George Eastman in effectively the same role as the one he played in the first film) and who comes from a Greek island.

Reviews [click links to read more]:

“The best part of this film is watching George Eastman go bonkers. All of the kill scenes are entertaining and on par with other kill scenes from similar Italian horror films from this era.” 10k Bullets

“Your enjoyment of this film will be colored by how much you like gore, how much you understand that Italian movies are often very hard to understand and how much you’re willing to forgive a film. Personally, I loved it. The oven kill scene is really uncomfortable to watch and the gore is incredibly effective.” B & S About Movies

“The film is slow in spots and borrows a ton of ideas from other, more popular slashers (like the aforementioned Halloween), but is a surprisingly entertaining exploitation-horror film nonetheless and delivers what fans of these types of films want to see (aside from the curious absence of nudity). Eastman (sans make-up this time) has more screen time than he did in the original and gives an effective, creepy performance.” The Bloody Pit of Horror

“There’s nothing remotely scary or creepy here, but D’Amato does manage to eke out some suspense as Mikos stalks his victims. Of course, being a D’Amato movie, there’s some violence against women here. The gore isn’t necessarily unsettling, but the treatment of women is. If you approach Absurd with the question, “What would it look like if an Italian director known for exploitation movies attempted to make Halloween II?”, then you’ll be in the right frame of mind to enjoy this oddity.” DVD Sleuth

“The problem with the second half is that I don’t think it really manages to ratchet up the suspense as well as it could, as the contrivances become rather blatant as the movie progresses, and the denouement is rather unbelievable. However, gorehounds will probably be quite satisfied, as the movie is very bloody. To me, this was a mixed bag.” Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings

“Lest I dwell on needlessly comparing it to Anthropophagus, I will say that Rosso Sangue is decent on its own as a standard slasher film. Plus, the score is decent enough and there are some good, interesting shots to bring a modicum of atmosphere and suspense to the proceedings. It’s by no means a Eurotrash classic, but even its predecessor can’t boast that.” Oh, the Horror!

” …there’s precious little character development on exhibit here and D’Amato dearth of know-how with regards to staging set-pieces effectively also but, shortcomings aside, Absurd is a movie which is hard not to love just a little. Cordio’s frenetic composition is suitably pulsating and Eastman, for his lack of range, is like a one-man wrecking ball with a beard once he comes to from that anaesthetic.” Rivers of Grue

“This one won’t win over the D’Amato doubtful but the converts who already appreciate the languid pacing, thick atmosphere and irreverent gore of his earlier Antropophagus will definitely appreciate this follow up film, firmly rooted in similar territory even if it isn’t a direct sequel per se.” Rock! Shock! Pop!

Buy 88 Films Blu-ray: Amazon.co.uk

“Yes, the story is lame and inconsequential. Yes, the cast is uniformly nondescript (even Michel Soavi, who turns up in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-him cameo as an ill-fated biker). Yes, you’ll be scratching your head by the end wondering what the point of it all was and whether maybe the sole source of inspiration for this film was the finale’s riff on Halloween. Who cares? The editing is brisk, the direction is assured, the studio lighting is stylish and colourful in a cut-rate Argento style and the body count builds formidable.” Sex Gore Mutants

” …Absurd is full of gratuitous violence all the same: the first two kills are the most splatterific, and things DO get tense towards the end as Katya – as we suspected – finds that inner strength to hobble around and takes on the maniac with a compass of all things and a game of hide and seek ensues.” Vegan Voorhees

“Monster Hunter is a solid slasher movie. The main deterrents are some lapses in pacing and an extremely annoying kid. Other than that, I liked it just fine. In fact, I think I dug this flick more than The Grim Reaper.” The Video Vacuum

Buy: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

“If you like your murder blunt and meaningless, then you’ll probably get a kick out of D’Amato’s nihilistic slasher. If, however, you like your horror tense or ironic with relatable characters and genuine scares, you may want to look elsewhere. In 1981, morbid curiosity would have made Absurd a must-see. Almost forty years later, it has proven anything but.” VHS Revival

Choice dialogue:

Doctor Kramer: “It’s absurd! Completely absurd. Recuperative powers like that simply don’t exist.”

Father: “There is nothing human left of him…he is a creature of evil. The spark of God was smothered the moment the devil took possession of him.”

Release:

On September 25, 2018, Severin Films released Absurd on Blu-ray in the USA. Order via Amazon.com

Special features:

Rosso Sangue: Alternate Italian cut (with optional English subtitles)
The Return of the Grim Reaper – Interview With Actor / Writer / Co-Producer Luigi Montefiori
D’Amato on Video: Archive Interview With Director Aristide Massaccesi
A Biker (Uncredited): Interview With Filmmaker/extra Michele Soavi
Trailer
First 2,500 copies: Bonus CD Soundtrack
Reversible Wrap

Cast and characters:

George Eastman … Mikos Stenopolis
Annie Belle … Emily
Charles Borromel … Sergeant Ben Engleman
Katya Berger … Katia Bennett
Kasimir Berger … Willy Bennett
Hanja Kochansky … Mrs Bennett
Ian Danby … Mr Bennett
Ted Rusoff … Doctor Kramer
Edmund Purdom … Father
Cindy Leadbetter … Peggy (uncredited)
Lucia Ramirez … Woman on TV (archive footage) (uncredited)
James Sampson … Cop at the station (uncredited)
Mark Shannon … Man on TV (archive footage) (uncredited)
Michele Soavi … Biker (uncredited)
Martin Sorrentino … Deputy (uncredited)
Goffredo Unger … Machine Shop Worker (uncredited)

Also released as:

Anthropophagus 2
Horrible
The Grim Reaper 2
Monster Hunter

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‘Sex, rock ‘n’ roll & death’

Captured is a 2020 American slasher horror thriller feature film about a rock band’s weekend getaway to shoot a music video which turns into a nightmare. Unfortunately, the band becomes the crazed obsession of an escaped convict.

Directed by Joe Arias – making his feature debut – from a screenplay co-written with Michael Meinecke and J.P. Ouellette, the movie stars Brittany Curran (Exeter; The Uninvited; Monster House), Julian Curtis, Kirsten Prout and Jake White.

Release:

Captured is available to watch free for members of Amazon Prime

Reviews [click links to read more]:

There are no reviews of Captured available currently; please bookmark this website and return again soon for a range of independent, aggregated reviews.

Cast and characters:

Brittany Curran … Julie
Julian Curtis … Charlie
Kirsten Zien … Nicole (as Kirsten Prout)
Jake White … Curly
Mike Randy … George
Christian Monzon … Max
Jasper Cole … Shelly
Mark DeLisle … Officer Hanson
Robert Renderos … Officer Juarez
Diego Savoia … Young Joe
Caitlyn Case … Young Julie
Charles Arthur Berg … Victor
Alberto Carroll … Rocker
Leila Ciancaglini … Bar Girl
Franki Doll … Franki
Chelsea Mark … Cassandra
Ted Porter … Zed Pulp
Kinley Rice … Young Julie
Tati Romero … Mom of Julie
Justine White … Groupie

Technical details:

80 minutes

The post Captured (2020) preview with trailer appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

Random Acts of Violence is a 2019 American road trip slasher horror feature film about a graphic novel creator who is stalked by one of his demented fans.

Directed by and co-starring Jay Baruchel from a screenplay co-written with Jesse Chabot, based on a graphic novel by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, the Elevation Pictures-Manis Film production also stars Jordana Brewster (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), Jesse Williams and Aviva Mongillo.

Plot:

Todd Walkley (Jesse Williams) and his publisher Ezra (Jay Baruchel) made their careers crafting a comic book based on a real-life serial killer called Slasherman. On a press tour to announce the launch of their final issue, they visit the town where Slasherman wreaked havoc twenty years earlier.

Upon their arrival, a series of new murders unfold… It soon becomes clear that a crazed fan is using Todd’s ‘Slasherman’ comic as inspiration for the killings and as the bodies pile up, and Todd’s friends and family become victims themselves, he is forced to take artistic responsibility…

Release:

The film premiered at Fantastic Fest in December 2019. On August 20, 2020, it will stream on Shudder in the US, UK and Ireland. In Canada, the film is released in theatres and on-demand on July 31.

Press release:

The film apparently “has no shortage of extreme, gruesome, graphic bloodshed. Whoever is committing these crimes is driven by tremendous anger. The brutality of these murders should not be taken lightly.”

Reviews [click links to read more]:

“Jay Baruchel, buddy, next time maybe try something you can handle… or at the least find, or write, a better script. Skip this. I cannot recommend this film. It’s just not any good and sadly whatever you think of the above trailer/clip don’t bother with the 78 minutes and 30 seconds left on this. It’s anemic and toothless “horror” schlock.” Film Snob Reviews

Cast and characters:

• Jordana Brewster … Kathy
• Jay Baruchel … Ezra
• Jesse Williams … Todd Walkley
• Aviva Mongillo … Hannah
• Niamh Wilson … Aurora
• Nia Roam … Megan
• Julia Knope … Teenage Girl
• Simon Northwood … The Man
• Chris Gleason … Fetish Male
• Bobby Brown
• Isaiah Rockcliffe … Young Todd

The post Random Acts of Violence (2019) preview with trailers and clip appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

‘Swallow your fears’

Irrational Fear is a 2017 American slasher horror feature film about six therapy patients who are brought together at a secluded cabin. They are forced to confront their extreme fears of germs, bugs, drowning, choking and losing teeth – to name a few. But these fears won’t just hurt them …they may very well kill them.

Directed, produced and edited by Hunter Johnson (Serena Waits; TV series: Malvolia: The Queen of Screams; 2 Jennifer) from a screenplay co-written with Kevin Sommerfield (Dismembering Christmas; Don’t Go to the Reunion). The Slasher Studios production stars Charles Chudabala, Baker Chase Powell and Leah Wiseman.

Release:

Having been previously released on limited edition Blu-ray and DVD by Slasher Studios, Terror Films will release Irrational Fear on digital platforms on Friday, July 24th 2020. The digital roll-out will expand over several months and include Tubi TV, Amazon Prime, Roku, Watch Movies Now, Google Play, Kings of Horror on YouTube and many more.

Review:

Almost everyone has some sort of phobia. But, what happens when this irrational fear of something, becomes real… and something to actually fear?

Irrational Fear is definitely unique. We are immediately treated to cameo appearances by director Hunter Johnson and Kevin Sommerfield (co-writer and executive producer) as the introduction opens to a neighbourhood bullying a young woman. Is this really happening, or in her mind? It’s clear that she is in fear and thus we are thrown into several additional phobias owned by six other patients. The patients are invited to a camping retreat by Dr Sanders (the ever charismatic Charles Chudabala), hoping to dive into their subconscious and rid them of these irrational fears.

One young man is distressed about choking. On anything… he is deathly afraid of choking and paranoid about what he consumes. Another has an obvious eating and appearance disorder. Then there’s Cameron who is extremely scared of his teeth rotting. Taylor is a sweet college co-ed, who cannot stand to be touched. Jake believes everything around him is germ-infested. The level of phobias has no limit, so Doctor Sanders has his work cut out for him.

Once the group gathers at the wooded cabin by the lake, animosity ensues. The first therapy session drives one member to leave, and others to hold back their insecurities. Still, Dr Sanders always looking for the silver lining, is convinced that he will cure everyone of their ailments by the weekend’s close.

However, weird things begin to happen. And all the weirdness includes a black sludge-like goo as the participants are tortured by their phobias. Literally. What is this malevolent force hovering over this group and how are they to survive?

As time progresses and folks are disappearing, two group members take matters into their own hands to figure out once and for all – who/what is killing everybody?

Charles Chudabala portrays an optimistic and simple-minded psychologist who is devoted to solving the groups’ issues no matter what. Black gunk pouring out of their mouths? “It’s going to be ok!” People disappearing with disturbing leave-behinds? “It will all be ok!” Oh, Dr Sanders is a funny little man who finally loses his cool at the end and everything comes to a disturbing discovery.

Director Hunter Johnson has managed once again to get inside our heads, forcing us to ponder the thought of what really frightens you, makes you uneasy, and more importantly… what if it is not irrational, but a real and tangible fear?

With some minor comic relief (“I’m Helen, I’m into ass-play and I’m not getting into that lake!”), and plenty of cringing moments (remember Cameron fears rotting teeth?), this is another treat from the US west coast horror crew.

Meredith Brown, MOVIES and MANIA

Other reviews:

“It was awesome seeing the people in Irrational Fear having no choice but to come face to face with their fears no matter the end result. It’s terrifying but liberating. I’ve always loved Hunter Johnson’s work and this is a fun one to kick back and enjoy…” 1428 Elm

“The film doesn’t necessarily go for broke with the gore but there are some bloody sequences. Rather, the film makes sure to throw a multitude of surreal/hallucinatory scenes at us. We are never on firm ground and I really enjoyed that. I also enjoyed how the cast wasn’t completely made up of younger characters.” Movie Mattinee

“Irrational Fear takes a classic concept of fear and turns it on its head. Johnson really shows true marks of incredible directing as he can easily mislead his audience to believe one thing while it’s something else entirely. Don’t be afraid of watching Irrational Fear after reading this review. It’s a fun watch!” Pop Horror

Scroll down for YouTube reviews

Cast and characters:

Baker Chase Powell … Zach – Dismembering Christmas; Little Dead Rotting Hood
Jennifer Nangle … Kelly – Malvolia: The Queen of Screams
Charles Chudabala … Doctor Sanders – Ugly Sweater Party; Lilith; Death House; Serena Waits; #FromJennifer; Gehenna: Where Death Lives; 2 Jennifer; Restoration
Kaleb Shorey … Jake
Chad Moseley … Eric
Dane Bingenheimer … Mr Littleton
Leah Wiseman … Taylor – Dismembering Christmas; Family Possessions; Dollface
Hunter Johnson … Patient #6
Guy Holling … Ritch
Kevin Sommerfield … Patient #5
Mathias Blake … Cameron
Neda Stevic … Mrs Parker
Andrew Beirl … Patient #2
Zachary Allen … Patient #3
Skylar Spaulding … Julie

Technical details:

99 minutes

Related:

Phobia – Canada | USA, 1980 – overview and reviews

Phobia aka Tales of Phobia – Italy |UK, 2017

The post Irrational Fear (2017) reviews and digital release news appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

Don’t F*ck in the Woods 2 is a 2020 American supernatural horror feature film about camp counsellors being menaced by a vicious creature.

The movie is obviously a sequel to Don’t Fuck in the Woods (2016).

Directed by Shawn Burkett from a screenplay co-written with Cheyenne Gordon, the movie stars Brandy Mason, Kaylee Williams, Brittany Blanton and Mark Justice. Chris Gierowski (Don’t F*ck in the Woods, Irrational Fear) produced.

Plot:

The counsellors at Pine Hills Summer Camp are getting the grounds ready for the upcoming summer season.

While they set things up, joke around and poke around with each other, a mysterious girl shows up, weak and scared from a previous encounter with a vicious creature that killed all her friends. Little do they know that something followed her to the camp and things are about to get slimy and bloody…

Release:

Don’t F*ck in the Woods 2 is completed and awaiting distribution: “We just passed the movie to our sales agency, Cyfuno Ventures, and they are currently shopping it around,” commented director Burkett. “They’re the guys who did the deal for the first one as well as Brendan Steere’s The VelociPastor.”

Producer Chris Gierowski added “Like a lot of movies that were in the can before COVID, we were able to punch it up during quarantine. We were able to get more finalized music from composer Rocky Gray, fix some audio, add some visual effects we didn’t think we would have time to get done, a couple of safe and socially distanced reshoots, get some new artwork done by horror artist Nathan Thomas Milliner. It is still a micro-budget horror, but you can tell the difference in quality compared to the first.”

Cast and characters:

Brandy Mason … Meg
Kaylee Williams … Courtney
Brittany Blanton … Jane
Mark Justice … Mason
Ashe Parker … Vanessa
Jason Crowe … Wil
Kenzie Phillips … Tasha
Jason Crowe … Will
Kayla Elizabeth … Miley
Cheyenne Gordon … Gil
Savannah Howard … Alex
Alex Gottmann … Charlie

The post Don’t F*ck in the Woods 2 (2020) preview, updated appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

Scream 5 will be directed by Radio Silence aka Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet (the excellent Ready or Not; Southbound; V/H/S) with James Vanderbilt (The Amazing Spider-Man; Zodiac; Darkness Falls) and Guy Busick (Ready or Not; Stan Against Evil TV series) co-scripting.

We previously reported that Spyglass Media Group and Paramount Pictures had aligned to co-produce the relaunch of the Scream franchise with David Arquette confirmed to reprise his role as Deputy Dewey. It has now been confirmed that Courteney Cox will also be coming back as news reporter Gale Weathers. Radio Silence enthused: “We can’t imagine Scream without the iconic Gale Weathers and are so incredibly thrilled and humbled to have the opportunity to work with Courteney. We’re absolute mega fans of her work and we’re so excited to join her in the next chapter of the Scream saga!”

Other cast news and plot details have yet to emerge.

Producers are Project X Entertainment’s aforementioned Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein and William Sherak, with franchise creator Kevin Williamson and Chad Villella acting as executive producers.

A 2021 release is planned with principal photography planned to begin late summer in Wilmington, North Carolina if pandemic restrictions permit.

Source: Deadline

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‘All they wanted was fun… what they got was terror… mayhem… murder!

Savage Weekend is a 1976 American slasher horror feature film written, produced and directed by David Paulsen as The Upstate Murders and initially marketed as Killer Behind the Mask. The movie stars Christopher Allport, Jim Doerr, David Gale and Devin Goldenberg.

Dov Seltzer provided the soundtrack score for this film, plus Night Terrors and The Mummy Lives.

Plot:

Two rich stockbrokers and their partners, plus their camp gay friend, leave New York City and head upstate to the country to watch a boat being built. Unfortunately for them, they are stalked by a psychotic murderer wearing a ghoulish mask…

Release:

On September 29, 2015, Savage Weekend was released on Blu-ray in the US by Kino Lorber with a brand-new HD transfer. Blu-ray, packaging, and extras are all produced by Walt Olsen (Scorpion Releasing). Special Features:

On camera interview with star William Sanderson
On camera interview with star Caitlin O’Heaney
On camera interview with star Jeff Pomeranz
Original Theatrical Trailer

Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Reviews [click links to read more]:

“The chief problem is everything being lazy from the drag-ass editing, absent acting, and a story that could have been condensed into fifteen minutes or less that still wouldn’t have quite made sense […] One couldn’t care less about the yuppie meatbags as they bounce into each other trying to provoke inane intrigue.” Basement of Ghoulish Decadence

“With its upstate setting, neurotic New Yorkers and kinky bed-hopping antics, the first two thirds of the narrative plays […] similar to an Andy Milligan film such as Seeds of Sin or The Ghastly Ones (aka Blood Rites) … On the other hand, the final third of the film predates the ‘slasher’ movie formula with a masked killer dispatching a group of people in a rural setting using a variety of makeshift weapons … ” Hysteria Lives

“The horror elements are in place and well accounted for, including a few gritty sets and somewhat effective cinematography (Gus Van Sant with no talent, maybe?). Unfortunately, it takes an hour of wading through dreary nonsense, bad continuity, and a truly hideous score to get there.” Bleeding Skull

“Most of the actual blood and gore happens away from the camera, a detail that will most assuredly frustrate those desperate for a little crimson output […] Granted, a gimmick involving bad wiring, a light bulb and a woman tied to a table saw, is far more clever than it should be — and will probably garner a chuckle or two from even the most jaded of horror fan.” Cranked on Cinema

Buy Legacy of Blood book: Amazon.co.uk

“The most important aspect about Savage Weekend is the fact that it was shot in 1976, two years before Halloween, and therefore is an important precursor to the slasher boom. Sadly, everything else about the film is amateurish, boring and predictable.” Jim Harper, Legacy of Blood: A Comprehensive Guide to Slasher Movies, Critical Vision, 2004

Promotion and release:

Despite title changes, the international promotional images for this film had a familiar look. It was eventually released in 1979 by Cannon Films.

Censorship:

British censors the BBFC passed the film with cuts at 83m 17s on 16 October 1978 for release by Entertainment Film Distributors Ltd.

Cast and characters:

Christopher Allport … Nicky – Jack Frost and its sequel
Jim Doerr … Robert Fathwood
David Gale … Mac Macauley – Syngenor; Re-Animator; The Brain; Pulse Pounders
Devin Goldenberg … Jay Alsop – The Last Horror Film
Marilyn Hamlin … Marie Sales Pettis
Caitlin O’Heaney … Shirley Sales – He Knows You’re Alone; Wolfen; Late Phases
Jeff Pomerantz … Greg Pettis – Retribution
William Sanderson … Otis – Mirror, Mirror; Sometimes They Come Back; Stageghost
Yancy Butler … Little Girl – Lake Placid vs. Anaconda; Rage of the Yeti
Adam Hirsch … Jeremy Pettis
Don Plumley … Pool Player
Ben Simon … Lumberman
Geraldine Chapin … Woman at Bar
Rae Chapin … Lumberman
Claude Dickison … Waitress at Bar
Robert T. Henderson … Bartender

Filming locations:

Hudson River Valley, New York

Technical details:

88 minutes
Aspect ratio: 1.85: 1
Audio: Mono

The post Savage Weekend (1976) reviews and overview appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

The Stalker is a 2020 American horror thriller feature film about a killer who is looking for the Hamilton family. He is willing to kill anyone who gets in his way.

Directed by John Giorgio – making his feature debut – from a screenplay written by Michelle Lewis, the movie stars Matthew Ewald (Blood Pledge; Terror in Woods Creek; The Invited), Chad Ayers (The Crossbreed), Virginia Vogt (Sleepy Hollow TV series) and Troy Fromin (It Wants Blood!; Bikini Car Wash Massacre; Class of Nuke ‘Em High Part 3; Shrunken Heads; et al).

Plot:

Who is he? What does he want? When will he strike again? These are the questions that haunt Steve and Wendy Hamilton as they race to get out of town after one mistake leads to the next. The man only known as the Stalker is looking for them and their children. He is willing to kill anyone who gets in his way…

Reviews [click links to read more]:

“While the story clichés and side-tracks may entertain some, they will be all too familiar to others. That being said, the film is well shot and paced, with the titular villain causing enough havoc along the way to keep viewers engaged. It’s a fun, albeit flawed, slasher throwback that embraces the tropes of the genre, and is sure to appeal to those with a soft spot for the video nasties era.” UK Film Review

Cast and characters:

Matthew Ewald … Officer Kingsley
Chad Ayers … Steve Hamilton
Virginia Vogt … Wendy Hamilton
Troy Fromin … Craig
Jimmy Ace Lewis … Hayden Hamilton
J. Gaven Wilde … Josh Hamilton
Cody Howard … Corey
Triston Dye … Alex
Jared M. Reeder … Leon
Kevin Wayne Walker … Adam
Vincent Triana … Dylan
Sydney Ashley Bennett … Megan
Shotzie Cado … Amelia
Jasmine Lewis … Partygoer
Shahrukh Jiwani … Winston

Technical details:

60 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

The post The Stalker (2020) reviews and overview of low budget slasher appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

Holland Road Massacre: The Legend of Pigman is a 2020 American horror feature film about a masked maniac stalking a pair of strangers. The film is loosely based on an urban legend.

Written, photographed, edited and directed by Emir Skalonja (Anthropocene; Till Death Do We Rot; Confessions Of A Homicidal Prostitute: Demonatrix; The Plague and sequels), with script contributions from Jesse Huntz and Robert A. Coldicott, the FoxTrot Productions movie stars Heather Dunham, Kristina Santiago, Michael Balch and Robert A. Coldicott.

Reviews [click links to read more]:

“Despite some genuinely enjoyable moments that are present in spurts throughout here, the main factor coming across here is a bit more problematic and causes this one to be slightly less enjoyable than it should’ve been. It’s of some interest for those who enjoy indie slashers like this one or are curious about the urban legend at the heart of the story…” Don’s World of Horror and Exploitation

“Holland Road Massacre: The Legend of Pigman is a fairly standard micro-budget slasher. There’s a lot of blood but few actual effects. Some random victims are tossed in to up the body count and there’s a fair amount of padding. There is some fairly good metal playing on the soundtrack which is a plus.” Voices from the Balcony

Cast and characters:

Heather Dunham … Lauren Donahue
Kristina Santiago … Kylie
Michael Balch … Pigman
Robert A. Coldicott … Det. Rick Donahue
Jacob Hodgson … Brian
Jeff Larivey … Trail Victim
Al Baker … Kreepie
Jesse Huntz … Elliott Donahue
Cryss Marie … Donna
Kimber Lee … Jill
Mick O’Keefe … Phil
Rosanna Pfeifer … Woman in bar
Ashley Palmasano … Woman in bar
Karl Farmer … Man in bar
Brandi Scharping … Woman in bar
Christopher Fire … Man in bar

The post Holland Road Massacre: The Legend of Pigman (2020) reviews and overview appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

‘Knock ’em dead’

The Last Laugh is a 2020 American slasher horror feature film about a stand-up comedian who discovers there is a killer on the loose. Unfortunately, the murderer is lurking in the very theatre where he is about to perform his biggest show and hopefully have his first breakout. He must make a terrible choice…

Written and directed by Jeremy Berg (Holiday Hell; The Device; The Invoking), the movie stars Steve Vanderzee, Eric Stone, Lowell Deo and Angela DiMarco.

Release:

The Last Laugh will be available to purchase and rent on VOD via High Octane Pictures on September 15th 2020.

Cast and characters:

Steve Vanderzee … Myles
Eric Stone … Nelson
Lowell Deo … Reggie Ray
Angela DiMarco … Donna
Meranda Long … Bethany
Marcus Leppard … Andy
Brad Jessernig … Bryce
Nick Sage Palmieri … Jared
Tonya M. Skoog … Isabella
Luke Schuck … Lawrence
Jeffrey Arrington … Comedy
Scott C. Brown … Jack
Mark Rahner … J. Barilla

Production companies:

Adventus Films
Cool Productions
Salem Street Entertainment
The October People
UnLTD Productions

Working title:

Killing Joke

Initial source: JoBlo.com

The post The Last Laugh (2020) preview of Giallo-inspired slasher appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

‘Some are dying to leave the profession!’

Teacher Shortage is a 2020 American slasher horror feature film about a mysterious killer stalking and murdering teachers.

Written and directed by Troy Escamilla (Mrs. Claus; Party Night) the Fright Meter Films production stars Brinke Stevens, Debra Lamb, Julie Anne Prescott, Tamara Glynn and Kaylee Williams.

Plot:

What is supposed to be an educational and collaborative weekend professional development session for the English Department of Prescott High School instead turns into a blood-soaked nightmare when a masked killer targets them…

Cast and characters:

Brinke Stevens … Kathryn
Debra Lamb … Sue Steel
Julie Anne Prescott … Bartender
Tamara Glynn … Linda
Kaylee Williams … Lauren Parker
Mel Heflin … Valerie Battles
Roger Conners … Michael Perry
Joe Grisaffi … Mr Blatty
David E. McMahon … James Curtis
Dan Braverman … Janitor
Madison Randolph … Student
Dave McClain … John
Chris Jehnert … Ryan Billings
Ashley La Porta … Brenda Newton
Maye Harris … Andrea Curtis

Filming locations:
 
Houston, Texas

Technical details:

86 minutes

The post Teacher Shortage (2020) preview of slasher horror movie appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

Hellbilly Hollow is a 2020 American slasher horror feature film in which a group of paranormal investigators journey to a haunted attraction.

Directed by Kevin Wayne (Skookum) who also co-stars from a screenplay written by Bernadette Chapman, the movie also stars Kurt “Bald Man” Deimer, Megan Weaver and Hallie Shepherd.

Bull protects his not-so-small younger brother from the outside world, but who protects the outside world from Tickles the clown? A team of YouTube paranormal activity seekers journey to a haunted attraction in the backwoods of Alabama to find more than they bargained for as they follow thrill-seekers on a haunted hayride. Fear and death plague those who enter and those who seek the past…

Kurt Deimer has commented: “As a hardcore horror fan, Hellbilly Hollow is the kind of franchise film I always wanted to make and watch, especially since acting in Blumhouse’s Halloween in 2018. Not only is Hellbilly Hollow a terrifying slasher loaded with tons of creative, psychotic kills, there are also a lot of funny, laugh-out-loud moments. Fans of the unsettling and disturbing are in for a fun ride and I can’t wait to share the film with everyone later this fall.”

Cast and characters:

Kurt Deimer … Bull
Kevin Wayne … Tickles
Sandra Ellis Lafferty … Virginia
Danny Vinson … Sheriff
Hallie Shepherd … Mabel
Acorye’ White … Paul
Keller Fornes … Eric
McKalin Hand … Chuck
Trey Miller … James
Megan Weaver … Ally
Chad Joyce … Bartender
Aiden Hartman … Richard
Reid Meadows … Brian
Ariana Livingston … Tamie
Guardian Michael … Strongman
Hunter O’Harrow … Randy
Michael W. Ray … Elvis
Daniel Farias … Dustin (as Daniel P. Farias)
GG Ligums … Sasha the Snake Charmer
George Thagard … Sal
James Srygley … Mr Ghoul
William Croteau … Timmy
Doss Cleveland … Young Man (as Doss Cleavland)
Sadie LeJeune … Sally
Tiffany Maddox … Andrea
Tim Miller … Driver
Mercedez Moniz … Stephanie
Kaila Little … Rachel the Fortune Teller / Mimi the Voodoo Queen
Dd Starshaker … Fergus the Sword Swallower
Dana Elise … Extra
Chad Burkhardt … Monster

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‘Twice the thrills… Twice the kills… Twice the chills… Down your spine!’

Chills Down Your Spine is a 2020 American horror anthology feature film consisting of ten segments including a wraparound story. It is a sequel to Shivers Down Your Spine (2015). In the movie, Jeff finds a new lamp in while trying to find Sabiah only to discover her little sister Mahktoonah. The two then go on an odyssey to find and free Sabiah from a deranged killer while telling various horror stories to pass the time…

Directed by Mathew Kister (Shivers Down Your Spine; The Eyes of Isabelle) from a screenplay co-written with Tony Crumpton and Lisa Kovanda, the Dead Lantern Pictures production stars Megan Garcia (Camp Blood 4; Shivers Down Your Spine; Cheerleader Camp: To the Death), Steve Eaton (The Grand Horror; Outpost Doom) and Anastasia August (Return of the Robo-Mummy from Outer Space Part 7).

Segments:

Road Trip: Jeff finds a new genie and goes on an ancient road trip to find his lost love in the first of two wraparound stories.
The Devil’s Corkscrew: Gold robbers in the old west try to escape justice and lead the lives they deserve.
Isabelle Returns: Isabelle Wakeworth is back from the dead and ready to kill in this animated slasher!

The Ditch: A young woman, covered in blood, tries to get help from a stranger.
Bed and Breakfast: A night at a Gothic mansion turns into a terror fueled nightmare…or does it?
Hysteria!: A burlesque troupe finds themselves in a Scooby-Doo-esque murder mystery!
Blood Model: A struggling artist finds the perfect pigment to make their paintings come to life.
The Whirlpool of Night: A private detective is hired to steal a mysterious box that contains a cosmic power in this film-noir!
The Calling of the Things Beyond: A playwright decides to finish her father’s cursed play with horrifying results.
C’mon Baby Light My Flame: Sabiah has been captured by a killer bent on carving out her flame in the second wraparound!

Reviews [click links to read more]:

“I would be shocked if you couldn’t find something you liked within its confines. Of course, being a horror anthology, there is a lot of adult content that probably shouldn’t be viewed by anyone underage […] This would be one of the first films I would recommend to anyone interested in what Nebraska filmmakers are doing and what they’re capable of.” Greg the Movie Guy

” …the film has plenty of blood and great practical effects along with some solid make-up effects. There is literally something for everyone in this one. Overall, Chills Down Your Spine is my contender for best indie horror film of 2020…” Horror Society

“The two wraparound stories come together in a hilarious resolution, though it felt a bit abrupt. Almost as if the filmmakers said to themselves, we gotta stop here or we will keep going. Much like I feel with this review. Chills Down Your Spine is a roller coaster ride of a good time that has everything I love about indie horror.” We Live Entertainment

Release:

Chills Down Your Spine is available direct from Dead Lantern Pictures here

Cast and characters:

Anastasia August … June and Enchante (Segment “Bed and Breakfast” “Hysteria”)
Clint Beaver … Charles (Segment “The Calling of the Things Beyond”)
Michell Blodgett … Viola and Beautiful Woman (Segment “Hysteria” “The Whirlpool of Night”)
Leah Cardenas … Clementine (Segment “Hysteria”)
Kevin A Casey … Albert and Driver (Segment “The Devil’s Corkscrew” “The Ditch”)
Cynthia Condrey … Extra (Segment “Blood Model”)
Dailen Cowden … Jack and Peter (Segment “The Devil’s Corkscrew” “Road Trip”)
Schuylar Craig … Oracle and Abigail (Segment “Road Trip” “Blood Model”)
Allison Davis … Charlotte and Morgan (Segment “The Devil’s Corkscrew” and “The Calling of the Things Beyond”)
Sara Demanett … Enforcer 1 (Segment “The Whirlpool of Night”)
Hannah Dolezal … Nora (Segment “The Whirlpool of Night”)
Kristen Drake … Lavinia (Segment “The Calling of the Things Beyond”)
Steve Eaton … Jeff (Segment “Road Trip” “Flame”)
Julia Farrell … Woman and Veronica (Segment “Hysteria” “The Whirlpool of Night”)
Malik Fortner … Male Model (Segment “Blood Model”)
Benito Garcia … Killer ( Segment “Flame”)
Edwin Garcia … Bill (Segment “The Devil’s Corkscrew”)
Megan Garcia … Mahktoonah and Sabiah (Segment “Road Trip” “Flame”) (as Megan Shepherd)
Heather Geerdes … Enforcer 3 (Segment “The Whirlpool of Night”)
Tbird Haynes … Old Cowboy (Segment “The Devil’s Corkscrew”)
Nicholas Hernandez … Billy (Segment “Blood Model”)
Lyra Hubl … Enforcer 2 (Segment “The Whirlpool of Night”)
Patrick Lambrecht … Randolph (Segment “The Calling of the Things Beyond”)
Nick Lemay … Man and John (Segment “The Ditch” “Blood Model”)
Simon Lovell … Butler (Segment “Bed and Breakfast”)
Crystal Milani … Lilith (Segment “The Whirlpool of Night”)
Chadrick Miller … Tim (Segment “Blood Model”)
Kathy Mittan … Art Instructor (Segment “Blood Model”)
Kayla Moore … Mallory (Segment “The Whirlpool of Night”)
Eric Moyer … Samuel and Husband (Segment “The Devil’s Corkscrew” “Road Trip”)
Sarah Nichole … Abigail (Segment “The Calling of the Things Beyond”)
Christina Olson … Rue (Segment “Hysteria”)
Katie Otten … Dolly (Segment “Hysteria”)
Mark Popejoy … Rufus and Self (Segment “Road Trip” “Intermission”)
Sydney Readman … Woman (Segment “The Ditch”)
Cara Rockwell … Wanda (Segment “Hysteria”
T.J. Roe … James (Segment “The Devil’s Corkscrew”)
Roxcy Rowen … Tiffany and Scarlet and Kamaria (Segment “Bed and Breakfast” “Hysteria” “Intermission”) (as Raquel Rowenhorst)
Michelle Schrage … Wife and Brigid (Segment “Road Trip” “The Whirlpool of Night”)
Melissa Schroeder … Audrey (Segment “The Calling of the Things Beyond”)
Brigitte Timmerman … Death (Segment “The Devil’s Corkscrew”)
Kathy ‘Kat’ Walsh … Woman (Segment “The Calling of the Things Beyond”)
Lindsay Washburn … Sarah (Segment “The Devil’s Corkscrew”)
Janine Witzenburg … Genoa (Segment “Blood Model”)

Filming locations:

St. Joseph, Missouri
Grand Island, Lincoln, Lyons and Omaha, Nebraska

Technical details:

180 minutes
Audio: Stereo (RCA Sound Recording)

The post Chills Down Your Spine (2020) reviews and overview appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

‘Evil has many faces’

Redwood Massacre: Annihilation is a 2020 American slasher horror feature film featuring the return of an axe-wielding maniac. The movie is a sequel to The Redwood Massacre (2014).

Written and directed by David Ryan Keith (The Dark Within; Ghosts of Darkness; The Redwood Massacre; Attack of the Herbals), the 2nd Nature Films-Clear Focus Movies production stars Danielle Harris (Camp Cold Brook; Victor Crowley; Havenhurst; Halloween franchise; et al) Damien Puckler, Gary Kasper, Jon Campling and Tevy Poe.

Plot:

A stranger obsessed with the unsolved Redwood murders, convinces a group of bereaved family members to venture into the wilderness in hope of proving the existence of the infamous killer. Their quest for truth sees a sinister turn of events, as the hunters become the hunted.

A blood-soaked fight for survival ensues when they find that the tales told of the axe-wielding manic is very real…

Release:

Redwood Massacre: Annihilation is released on DVD and Digital October 20th 2020 by Uncork’d Entertainment.

Reviews [click links to read more]:

“Redwood Massacre: Annihilation is long on suspense. With its small cast, it has to be, there aren’t enough potential victims to just throw bodies at the screen. However, what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality. The killings are done with excellent practical effects and will certainly make genre fans happy.” Voices from the Balcony

Cast and characters:

Danielle Harris … Laura Dempsey
Damien Puckler … Max
Gary Kasper … Gus
Jon Campling … Tom Dempsey
Tevy Poe … Jen
Benjamin Selway … Burlap Killer
Stephanie Lynn Styles … Donna
Alec Westwood … Man in Suit
HemDee Kiwanuka … Coach Nick
Gavin Park … Soldier

Related:

The Redwood Massacre (2014) reviews and overview

Trailer:

The post Redwood Massacre: Annihilation (2020) reviews of slasher sequel with trailer appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

Scream Factory is releasing the Friday the 13th Collection on Blu-ray on October 13th 2020 and the full set of goodies has been revealed. The sixteen-disc box set is definitive in that it collects together all twelve films in the slasher horror franchise.

A rigid slipcover with stunning new artwork by Devon Whitehead will include a  forty-page booklet featuring essays and archival photography and each movie will be presented in its own Blu-ray case with its original theatrical artwork.

Friday the 13th (1980), Part 2, 3, and 4 (The Final Chapter!) have each been given new 4K transfers, with the original 1980 movie presented in its theatrical and unrated versions and Part 3 in its original 3D presentation. Jason Goes to Hell has been given a new 2K scan of the interpositive for the theatrical version, while the unrated version has been reassembled using high-definition inserts.

Among the newly announced extras are new commentaries, interviews, and the long-awaited uncut gore footage from Part 2 which was recently discovered. Order now via Amazon.com

Disc 1: Friday the 13th (theatrical cut)
New 4K scan of the original camera negative
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono – English SDH

• US theatrical trailer
• International theatrical trailer
• TV spot
• US radio spots
• UK radio spot
• Stills gallery
• Poster and lobby card gallery

Disc 2: Friday the 13th (unrated cut)
New 4K scan of the original camera negative
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, 5.1 – English SDH

• Audio commentary by director Sean S. Cunningham, screenwriter Victor Miller, actresses Adrienne King and Betsy Palmer, composer Harry Manfredini, editor Bill Freda, assistant editor Jay Keuper, and author Peter M. Bracke
• Fresh Cuts: New Tales from Friday the 13th
• The Man Behind the Legacy: Sean S. Cunningham
• Friday the 13th reunion panel
• Lost Tales from Camp Blood: Part 1
• Vintage Fangoria Magazine article (BD rom)

Disc 3: Friday the 13th Part 2
New 4K scan of the original camera negative
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, 5.1 – English SDH

• Audio commentary by actress Amy Steel, filmmaker Thommy Hutson, and author Peter M. Bracke (new)
• Audio commentary by actors Russell Todd, Kirsten Baker, Bill Randolph, Lauren Marie-Taylor, and Stu Charno and author Peter M. Bracke
• Interview with actress Amy Steel (new)
• Slashed Scenes (new)
• Inside Crystal Lake Memories: The Book
• Friday’s Legacy: Horror Conventions
• Lost Tales from Camp Blood: Part 2
• Radio spots
• TV spots
• US theatrical trailer
• Japanese theatrical trailer
• Still gallery
• Poster and lobby card gallery
• Vintage Fangoria article (BD rom)

Disc 4: Friday the 13th Part 3
New 4K scan of the original camera negative
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, 5.1 – English SDH

• 2D and 3D versions of the film
• Audio Commentary by actors Larry Zerner, Paul Kratka, Richard Brooker, and Dana Kimmell
• Fresh Cuts: 3D Terror
• Lost Tales from Camp Blood: Part 3
• TV spots
• Radio spots
• Theatrical trailer
• Still gallery
• Poster and lobby card gallery
• Vintage Fangoria article (BD rom)

Disc 5: Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
New 4K scan of the original camera negative
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, 5.1 – English SDH

• Audio commentary by director Joe Zito, writer Barney Cohen, and editor Joel Goodman
• Audio commentary by filmmakers Adam Green and Joe Lynch
• Lost Tales from Camp Blood – Part 4
• Slashed Scenes with audio commentary by director Joseph Zito
• Jason’s Unlucky Day: 25 Years After Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
• The Lost Ending
• The Crystal Lake Massacres Revisited Part I
• Lost Tales from Camp Blood: Part 4
• Jimmy’s Dead Dance Moves
• TV spots
• Radio spots
• Theatrical trailer
• Still gallery
• Poster and lobby card gallery
• Vintage Fangoria article (BD rom)

Disc 6: Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, 5.1 – English SDH

• Audio commentary by actors Melanie Kinnaman, Deborah Voorhees, and Tiffany Helm (new)
• Audio commentary by filmmakers Adam Green and Joe Lynch (new)
• Audio commentary by director/co-writer Danny Steinmann and actors John Shepherd and Shavar Ross
• Lost Tales of Camp Blood: Part 5
• The Crystal Lake Massacres Revisited Part II
• New Beginnings: The Making of Friday the 13th Part V
• TV spots
• Theatrical trailer
• Still gallery
• Poster and lobby card gallery
• Vintage Fangoria article (BD rom)

Disc 7: Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo, 5.1 – English SDH

• Audio commentary by actors Thom Mathews, Vinny Gustaferro, Kerry Noonan, Cynthia Kania, and CJ Graham (new)
• Audio commentary by writer/director Tom McLoughlin and filmmakers Adam Green and Joe Lynch (new)
• Audio commentary by writer/director Tom McLoughlin
• Audio commentary by writer/director Tom McLoughlin, actor Vincent Guastaferro, and editor Bruce Green
• Audio Commentary by filmmakers Adam Green and Joe Lynch
• Lost Tales from Camp Blood: Part 6
• The Crystal Lake Massacres Revisited Part III
• Jason Lives: The Making of Friday the 13th: Part VI
• Meeting Mr. Voorhees: alternate ending storyboards
• Slashed Scenes
• TV spots
• Theatrical trailer
• Still gallery
• Vintage Fangoria article (BD rom)

Disc 8: Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo, 5.1 – English SDH

• Audio Commentary by director John Carl Buechler and actor Kane Hodder
• Audio Commentary by director John Carl Buechler and actors Lar Park Lincoln and Kane Hodder
• Jason’s Destroyer: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VII
• Mind Over Matter: The Truth About Telekinesis
• Makeover by Maddy: Need A Little Touch-Up Work, My Ass
• Slashed Scenes with introduction
• TV spot
• Theatrical trailer
• Still gallery
• Poster and behind-the-scenes gallery
• Vintage Fangoria article (BD rom)

Disc 9: Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo, 5.1 – SDH

• Audio commentary by director Rob Hedden
• Audio commentary by actors Scott Reeves, Jensen Daggett, and Kane Hodder
• New York Has A New Problem: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VIII – Jason Takes Manhattan
• Slashed Scenes
• Gag reel
• TV spots
• Theatrical trailer
• Still gallery
• Poster and behind-the-scenes gallery

Disc 10: Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (theatrical cut)
New 2K scan of the interpositive
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo, 5.1 – English SDH

• Introduction by director Adam Marcus (new)
• TV spots
• Theatrical trailer
• Still gallery
• Poster and behind-the-scenes gallery
• A look at the Friday the 13th Prop Museum Book

Disc 11: Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (unrated cut)
New 2K scan of the interpositive with HD inserts

• Introduction by director Adam Marcus (new)
• Audio commentary by director Adam Marcus and author Peter Bracke (new)
• Audio commentary by director Adam Marcus and screenwriter Dean Lorey
• Interview with director Adam Marcus (new)
• Jason vs. Terminator: Adam Marcus on growing up with the Cunninghams (new)
• Interview with actor Kane Hodder (new)
• Additional TV footage with optional audio commentary by director Adam Marcus and author Peter Bracke (new)

Disc 12: Jason X
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo, 5.1 – English SDH

• Introduction by actor Kane Hodder (new)
• Audio commentary by writer Todd Farmer and author Peter Bracke (new)
• Audio commentary with director Jim Isaac, writer Todd Farmer, and producer Noel Cunningham
• Outta Space: The Making of Jason X: Interviews with producers Sean S. Cunningham and Noel Cunningham, writer Todd Farmer, and actor Kane Hodder (new)
• Interview with writer Todd Farmer (new)
• Interview with actress Kristi Angus (new)
• Jason Rebooted: Producer Sean S. Cunningham on Jason Goes to Hell and Jason X (new)
• The Many Lives of Jason Voorhees
• By Any Means Necessary: The Making of Jason X
• Vintage cast and crew interviews
• Behind the scenes footage
• Electronic Press Kit
• Club reel
• TV spots
• Theatrical Trailers
• Still gallery
• Poster and behind-the-scenes gallery

Disc 13: Freddy vs. Jason
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 EX – English SDH

• Audio Commentary by director Ronny Yu and actors Robert Englund and Ken Kirzinger
• 21 deleted/alternate scenes, including the original opening and ending, with optional commentary by director Ronny Yu and executive producer Douglas Curtis
• Genesis: Development Hell
• On Location: Springwood Revisited
• On Location: Cabin Fever
• Art Direction: Jason’s Decorating Tips
• Stunts: When Push Comes to Shove
• Make-up Effects: Freddy’s Beauty Secrets
• Visual Effects Exploration
• My Summer Vacation: A Visit to Camp Hackenslash
• Pre-fight press conference at Bally’s Casino in Las Vegas
• Ill Nino “How Can I Live” music video
• TV spots
• Theatrical trailer

Disc 14: Friday the 13th (2009)
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 – English SDH

• Theatrical and extended cuts
• Terror Trivia Track with picture-in-picture featuring the cast and crew
• Hacking Back/Slashing Forward: Remembering the original movie
• The Rebirth of Jason Voorhees
• Slashed Scenes
• The Best 7 Kills

Disc 15: Bonus

• Interview with producer/director Sean S. Cunningham (new)
• Interview with producer/director Steve Miner (new)
• Interview with composer Harry Manfredini (new)
• The Magic Keyboard: Harry Manfredini on scoring Friday the 13th (new)
• Interview with actor Harry Crosby (new)
• Interview with actor Bill Randolph (new)
• Back to Camp: The Locations of Friday the 13th and Friday the 13th Part 2 hosted by Michael Gingold (new)
• It Came from the Vaults: Interviews with La-La Land Records’ Matt Verboys and Michael V. Gerhard and composer Harry Manfredini (new)
• Finding Friday: On Location of the Friday the 13th Films (new)
• The Friday the 13th Chronicles – 8-part featurette
• Secrets Galore Behind the Gore – 3-part featurette on Part 1, Part 4, and Part 7
• Crystal Lake Victims Tell All
• Tales from the Cutting Room Floor
• Friday the 13th Artifacts and Collectibles
• Q&A with Jason Voorhees actors Ari Lehman, Warrington Gillette, C.J. Graham, and Kane Hodder
• Legacy of the Mask
• Slasher Films: Going for the Jugular
• Friday the 13th playing cards still gallery
• Easter eggs

Disc 16: Bonus

• Alice Lives: Interviews with Alice Cooper and “The Man Behind the Mask” music video director Jeffrey Abelson (new)
• Legends Never Die: Tom McLoughlin at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (new)
• Interview with director Tom McLoughlin (new)
• Interview with producer Sean S. Cunningham (new)
• Faceless Evil: Sean S. Cunningham and Jason (new)
• Jason Was Here: Friday the 13th Part 3-6 Locations Then and Now (new)
• Alice Cooper “The Man Behind the Mask” music video
• Scream Queens: Horror Heroines Exposed (2014) – 78-minute documentary with actors Adrienne King, Melanie Kinnaman, and more
• Slice and Dice: The Slasher Film Forever (2013) – 75-minute documentary with actor Corey Feldman, director John Carl Buechler, and more
• Trailer Reel – Trailers for all 12 films in a row
• Freddy vs Jason storyboard and production galleries
• Friday the 13th (2009) electronic press kit
• Friday the 13th (2009) TV spots
• Friday the 13th (2009) theatrical trailer
• Friday the 13th (2009) teaser trailer
• Friday the 13th vintage newspaper ad gallery for all 12 films
• Easter egg

The post Friday the 13th Collection Deluxe Edition specs revealed! appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.

‘Terror is on the line’

Final Caller is a 2020 American horror feature film about a DJ who receives calls from a killer who is murdering victims while on air.

Written and directed by Todd Sheets (Clownado; Bonehill Road; Dreaming Purple Neon; Goblin; et al), the  Extreme Entertainment production stars Douglas Epps, Rachel Lagen, Alex Brotherton, Jack McCord, Jane Plumberg, Antwoine Steele and Dilynn Fawn Harvey.

Reviews [click links to read more]:

“Lean, mean, n’ full of screams, Final Caller is an in-your-face stalk n’ slay affair with plenty of grizzly gore and solid performances all around!” Horror Fuel

“The budget of the film was reportedly one of his lowest yet, but naturally Todd has spared no expense in the gross-out department. Dismemberment, disembowelment, and a particularly nasty impalement are on the menu, so if you’re in the mood for yuck, you’ll find it here. The acting is very much in line with what we’ve come to expect from a Sheets films, wildly over-the-top […] a nicely crafted thriller.” Horror Geek Life

“Final Caller delivers on what fans would expect from a Todd Sheets film: lots of closeups of blood, guts, and evisceration, along with gooey, squishy sound effects […] What is different from other recent films from the filmmaker is that the focus is on a tightly woven story.” Pop Horror

Release:

Final Caller is expected to be released this fall by Extreme Entertainment.

Trailer:

The post Final Caller (2020) reviews and overview of Todd Sheets’ return to SOV-style gory glory appeared first on MOVIES and MANIA.