- Free screening of new Lovecraft documentary tomorrow in CYBERSPACE!
February 26, 2010 - KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS - Special Edition
January 23, 2010 - The House On Sorority Row: 25th Anniversary Edition
January 21, 2010 - PARANORMAL ACTIVITY get live commentary treatment this Sunday at The Aero!
January 7, 2010
Written by 
Universal Studios Monsters Book Signing
It promises to be a fun event for lovers of the classic Universal horror films. There will be trailers. There will be cake, (to celebrate Boris & Sara Karloff’s birthday next week). Plus in addition to the book, there will be merchandise from karloff.com.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY expands to a theatre near you
After a young, middle class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban “starter” tract house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night.
Especially when they sleep. Or try to.
Official Site
I saw this film in 2007 at Screamfest (the 2009 edition of Screamfest starts next Friday) and it blew me away. It is a truly scary film. It works by building tension and anticipation and by playing on the fact that what is not shown can be more frightening because your imasgination fills it in for you.
I am glad that they are finally releasing it as the originally planned big budget remake would have fallen flat. The lack of special effects and recognizable stars helps fuel the illusion that you are watching real footage and not a piece of fiction.
Now is your chance to see what everyone is talking about. See it on the big screen with an audience for the best effect.!
DRAG ME TO HELL DVD Giveaway
Enter to Win!
The film marked Sam Raimi’s triumphant return to the horror genre. Now you have a chance to win one of four Drag Me To Hell DVDs courtesy of Universal Home Entertainment.
To enter, send an email with “Drag Me To Hell” in the subject line along with your name and shipping address to:
contest@filmradar.com
One winner a week will be chosen. You must be a FilmRadar newsletter subscriber to win. Entries from non-subscribers will automatically be signed up for the FilmRadar weekly newsletter and Horror Fan newsletter.
SYNOPSIS:
Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) is on her way to having it all: a devoted boyfriend (Justin Long), a hard-earned job position, and a bright future. But when she’s forced to make a tough decision that evicts an elderly woman from her house, Christine becomes the victim of an evil curse. Now she has only three days to dissuade a dark spirit from stealing her soul before she is dragged to hell for an eternity of unthinkable torment. Director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man and the Evil Dead trilogy) returns to the horror genre with a vengeance in the film that critics rave is “the most crazy, fun and terrifying horror movie in years!” (Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly)
Visit the official site
Own it October 13th on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download.
Includes two versions of the movie -
Unrated Director’s Cut and Theatrical
Written by THE STEPFATHER (1987)
Written by Senora Bicho
The Stepfather is a thriller loosely based on the real case of John List. I was a 14-year-old when it was released and remember it being pretty creepy. I haven’t seen it in many years and was curious if it would still be as spine-chilling as I remembered.
It opens with a blood-covered man who has apparently just murdered his family. He cleans himself up, takes his bloody clothes, and leaves town. One year later, he appears as Jerry Blake (Terry O’Quinn) and is recently married to widow Susan Main (Shelley Hack). Susan’s 16-year-old daughter Stephanie (Jill Schoelen) dislikes Jerry and blames him for creating distance in the relationship with her mom. When Stephanie gets expelled from school, she suggests going to boarding school in an attempt to get away from Jerry, but he won’t allow it. Jerry continues to try and win Stephanie over, but she continues to keep his at a distance.
The brother of Jerry’s last wife, Jim Ogilvie (Stephen Shellen), convinces a reporter to run an article on the slaying of his sister, which surfaces at a neighborhood BBQ. Jerry becomes enraged, and Stephanie witnesses a tantrum in the basement. She becomes suspicious and writes to the newspaper asking for a picture of the suspected murderer. Jerry intercepts the photo when it arrives and reacts with another violent outburst.
Ogilvie continues to investigate his sister’s killer and Stephanie confesses to her psychiatrist that she is frightened of Jerry, who continues to unravel as the film moves towards its climatic conclusion.
A couple of special features are included on the DVD. There is an audio commentary with director Joseph Ruben who later went on to direct Sleeping with the Enemy, The Good Son and The Forgotten, three intense thrillers worth seeing. “The Stepfather Chronicles” is a new featurette with interviews and behind-the-scenes information on the film.
O’Quinn is absolutely frightening as a man teetering on the edge. The film gets its first-ever DVD release on October 13th. There is also a remake being released in theaters October 16th with Dylan Walsh in the lead role. Walsh has large shoes to fill as O’Quinn’s performance is the reason the original works so well.
Shriekfest is this weekend!!!
October 1st - 4th, 2009 Raleigh Studios, Hollywood
Shriekfest is an international festival and screenplay competition dedicated to getting horror/thriller/sci-fi/fantasy filmmakers and screenwriters the recognition they deserve. What makes our festival unique is that we proactively help the filmmakers and screenwriters by promoting their work to the industry.
We are dedicated to celebrating the art of independent filmmaking without all of the politics!
Shriekfest Film Festival’s 2009 lineup includes such recognizable names as Jeffry Combs in “Dark House”, Ving Rhames in “Evil Angel”, Dameon Clarke and Matthew Gray Gubler (Without a Trace) in “How to Be a Serial Killer”, Dean Cain in “Maneater”, “John Carpenter, George A. Romero, Joe Dante, and Roger Corman in “Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue”, Billy Zane in “Surviving Evil”, and Tiffany Shepis in “Thirsty”.
The roster encompasses 40 films and 39 screenplay finalists. Awards will be awarded in many categories, including an award for the Best Feature Film and Best Under 18 film/screenplay.
All screenings will be in the Chaplin or Pickford/Fairbanks Theatres at Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave Hollywood, CA. Tickets are $8 per film program. See www.shriekfest.com for ticket information and schedules. Tickets may be purchased online.
Festival Directors Denise Gossett and Todd Beeson oversee Shriekfest, now in it’s 9th year.
Carnival of Darkness Film Festival
The 1st Annual Carnival of Darkness short film festival will be held August 6th at The Majestic Crest Theater in Westwood, Ca.
Carnival of Darkness showcases the very best new work from independent horror filmmakers. This celebration of ‘creepy’ and original film shorts and music videos will culminate in a one hour panel discussion featuring top names in the horror world.In addition to the live appearances, fans will be able to purchase exclusive comic books, t-shirts and DVD’s relating to the horror genre at the venue.
Co-producers Alex Bram and Leah Cevoli have selected the historic landmark Crest Theater not only because of its state-of-the-art sound and projection equipment and large seating capacity (465 seats), but also because it exemplifies the indie spirit of the festival. The Crest is one of the last remaining independently owned and operated theaters in Los Angeles.
http://CarnivalofDarknessFestival.com
Panel Speakers:
Juliet Landau- Actor (Buffy/Angel),
Marc Sheffler- Actor (Last House on The Left),
Katt Shea-Director (Poison Ivy, The Rage: Carrie 2)
Jason Miller- Musician (Godhead),
Stephen Wozniak- Actor (Exorcism).
Panel Moderator:
Leah Cevoli- Actor/Writer (Deadwood, Robot Chicken)
When:
Thursday August 6th
Where:
The Majestic Crest Theater
1262 Westwood Blvd 90024
Admission: $10
Doors: 8:00pm
This event is all ages, open to the public, general admission seating. Refreshments Available.
B-Movies & Bad Science
On Sunday, June 28th, the Natural History Museum kicks off a series that promises to be fun & entertaining for the whole family.Join members of the Museum's history and science departments for a lighthearted exploration of the "science" behind Hollywood's creature features. You'll discover what makes these creatures and plots implausible off screen, and see some of their "real life" counterparts from the Museum's collection!
June 28th @ 2:00 PM
Screening The Monster That Challenged the World in which an earthquake in the Salton Sea lets loose a horde of angry mollusks and after the movie, stick around for a lively and light-hearted discussion about the movie with Lindsey Groves, Malacology Collection Manager.
July 5th @ 2:00 PM
Screening The Beginning of the End (1957), which finds gargantuan grasshoppers terrorizing the streets, but Entomology Curator Brian Brown is on hand to settle your nerves.
July 26th @ 2:00 PM
Screening The Flying Serpent (1946) where you'll bear witness to Aztec god Quetzalcoatl wreaking havoc after resuscitation by an evil archaeologist. Anthropology Curatorial Assistant Jennifer Saracino illuminates the impossibilities of that scenario, but also reveal cool Aztec facts.
Admission:
Adult - $9
Seniors (62+) - $6.50
Children 13 through 17 - $6.50
Children 5 through 12 - $2
Children under 5 - FREE
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 763-DINO
GHOSTBUSTERS 25th Anniversary Premiere Event
FANGORIA is calling YOU to a GHOSTBUSTERS 25th
Anniversary Premiere Event!
Fire up those Proton Packs!
FANGORIA ENTERTAINMENT, SONY PICTURES, SCREENING SERVICES GROUP, and ATARI are calling YOU to a GHOSTBUSTERS 25th Anniversary Blu-ray Premiere!
Fans will be among the first (and possibly only) to experience the high-def version of this timeless classic on the big screen at this EXCLUSIVE (and FREE) GHOSTBUSTERS Blu-ray Premiere. We’ll be screening the high-def movie in its entirety, along with all of the Blu-ray bonus features - all in the company of SURPRISE CELEBRITY GUESTS!
While waiting in line, a SONY video crew will be available for fans to record their “job applications” for www.GhostbustersIsHiring.com and FANGORIA readers will be able to be among the first to play Atari’s GHOSTBUSTERS: THE VIDEO GAME!
WHEN: Wednesday, June 3 @ Midnight (line up starts at 9PM)
WHERE: Ticket PICK UP at 8760 Wilshire (Press check in and line start at 9 PM) - Corner of Wilshire and Willaman
COST: FREE!
FANGORIA’s MIDNITE MADNESS SCREENING AT THE FINE ARTS THEATRE
8556 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, 90211
Phone: (310) 360-0455
One block west of La Cienega
The GHOSTBUSTERS Blu-ray Disc oozes with special features and interactivity including Slimer Mode, a picture-in-picture graphical viewing experience and a featurette on the refurbishing of Ecto-1. Atari’s GHOSTBUSTERS: THE VIDEO GAME contains an all-new adventure from the film’s original writers Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. Directed by Ivan Reitman, the sci-fi blockbuster comedy stars Bill Murray, Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Ramis, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts and Ernie Hudson.
GhostbustersIsHiring.com is a fun, visually engaging new Web site that offers worldwide fans the chance to become the “next” Ghostbuster. “Candidates” are asked to submit video “job applications” showing if they have what it takes to be a part of the Ghostbusters gang. The pieces are then uploaded to GhostbustersIsHiring.com. One lucky “winning” candidate will be featured on the site as well as on the GHOSTBUSTERS BD-Live bonus material. Visitors can also fill out an online application for a chance to win a trip next year to Comic-Con 2010 in San Diego.
***ATARI’S GHOSTBUSTERS: THE VIDEO GAME, based on the smash hit motion picture franchise, is penned by original GHOSTBUSTERS writers and stars Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd and reunites many of the original cast members to recapture the unique blend of humour and fright that established Ghostbusters as a pop culture sensation. The game’s launch on 16 June 2009 coincides with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s worldwide debut of the original motion picture on Blu-ray Disc(tm).
In addition to Aykroyd and Ramis, original Ghostbusters Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson lend their voices and in-game likenesses to the original story set two years after GHOSTBUSTERS II, with Manhattan once again overrun by ghosts and supernatural forces. The player joins up as a new recruit with the original team, testing a variety of unique equipment and gadgets, to track, wrangle and trap this wide range of awe-inspiring phantasms in an all new funny and frightening battle to save New York City from its latest paranormal plague.
For more information about GHOSTBUSTERS: THE VIDEO GAME please visit www.ghostbustersgame.com.
Masters of Horror Drive-In Series
The Steve Allen Theater & Hollywood MobMov present
MASTERS OF HORROR DRIVE-IN SERIES
Every Friday night at 8pm in the parking lot
Tickets $8 per Person
- or -
for $30 reserve a parking space in the drive-in and get admission for as many bodies fit in the car!
Following the sold-out drive in series from last year, we are proud to announce a new series that features some of the greatest minds in horror. Each of them will appear in person for a screening of their Masters of Horror episode followed by a Q&A and a screening of one of their feature films! All of these directors have done at least one episode for the award winning series Showtime’s Masters of Horror.
Drive in technology provided by Eric Kurland and Hollywood MobMov
Friday, May 15th @ 8:00 PM
TALES FROM THE CRYPT: DEMON KNIGHT
Co-Director Ernest R. Dickerson in person!
Screening with Ernest R. Dickerson’s Masters of Horror episode, “The V Word”
Two rowdy teenage boys break into an old mortuary looking for a good time, only to find themselves stalked by the owner who is a very real vampire.
Friday, May 22nd @ 8:00 PM
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Director Tobe Hooper in person!
Screening with Tobe Hooper’s M.O.H. episode, “Dance of the Dead”
A post-apocalyptic world where re-animated corpses of former friends and enemies dance on stage for the entertainment of the few that survived a nuclear holocaust. Naïve young Peggy learns the truth of the dangerous world and the sacrifices that were made to guarantee her survival.
Friday, May 29th @ 8:00 PM
Phantasm 2
Writer/Director Don Coscarelli & actor Angus Scrimm in person!
Screening with Don Coscarelli’s M.O.H. episode, “Incident On and Off a Mountain Road”
Ellen, a young woman is abducted by “Moonface,” a deformed and demented serial killer. But Ellen isn’t what she seems… trained for survival and combat with every available means.
Friday, June 5th @ 8:00 PM
KING OF THE ANTS
Director Stuart Gordon in person!
Screening with Stuart Gordon’s Masters of Horror episode, “The Black Cat”
Set in 1840 Philadelphia, Edgar Allan Poe, struggling with alcoholism, writer’s block and a lack of cash, is tormented by his wife Virginia’s black cat that will either destroy his life or inspire him to write one of his most famous stories.
Friday, June 12th @ 8:00 PM
Suspiria
plus
Phantom of the Paradise
Actress Jessica Harper in person!
THE STEVE ALLEN THEATER
Center for Inquiry-West
4773 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90027
Two blocks west of Vermont—Plenty of FREE parking in the rear.
Fangoria’s Midnite Madness Double Feature with special guests!!!
Fangoria’s Midnite Madness is a new film series at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills.
This Saturday, May 9th is a special double feature with loads of special guests.
Starting at 10:00 PM (Note: earlier start time) is Laid to Rest - A terrifying story of a young girl who wakes up in a casket with a traumatic head injury and no memory of her identity. She realizes she was abducted by a Deranged Serial Murderer and in an isolated rural town she must survive the night and outsmart the technologically inclined killer who is hellbent on finishing what he started. (90 min)
Then at Midnight, it is Lightning Bug - A young boy who longs to escape the misery of his childhood. A gifted, self-taught, special effects make-up artist, Green dreams of going to Hollywood to make his own monsters. But the real demons of Green’s life threaten to hold him back. (97 min)
Scheduled to appear:
Scott Licina, VP of Fangoria
Robert Hall (Director, Writer, F/X guru)
Bobbi Sue Luther (LAID TO REST, NIGHT OF THE DEMONS)
Kevin Gage (LAID TO REST, LIGHTNING BUG)
Lucas Till (LAID TO RESTT, LIGHTNING BUG)
Lena Heady (Sarah Connor on TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
Look for more information about upcoming films in the Fangoria’s Midnight Madness series as well as an incredible array of horror, fantasy, and science fiction movies playing this month in the Film Radar Horror Fan newsletter coming soon to an inbox near you.
A Month of Friday the 13ths: Carnival of Souls
Today we feature the atmospheric cult classic, CARNIVAL OF SOULS.
Joost Presents: A Month of Friday the 13ths
Thirteen classic movies to scare the crap out of you.
Friday the 13th: Uncut (1980) (Blu-ray )
After the success of John Carpenter’s Halloween, producer/director Sean Cunningham decided to rip it off, according to screenwriter Victor Miller. In doing so, they, along with make-up artist Tom Savini, created a pop culture sensation that returned more than 70 times its budget at the box office. Unknowingly, they were starting a horror movie franchise that would create more sequels and earn more money than its inspiration.
Friday the 13th opens in 1958 at Camp Crystal Lake in New Jersey. A young couple of counselors sneak off to have sex in an attic and are killed. We flash-forward a couple of decades to present day, Friday, June 13, and meet Annie, whose vocals all sound dubbed. She is heading to Camp Crystal Lake, which is being re-opened, to work as a cook. She meets some townsfolk who warn her the camp is haunted. A truck driver informs her a young boy drowned and a young couple was murdered.
Other counselors are arriving and work to help Steve, the new owner, spruce up the place. He has some errands to run and leaves the camp in his truck. Annie gets picked up hitchhiking, but we never see the driver. When they pass the camp, Annie realizes she is in trouble. She jumps out of the car and is chased into the woods, but there’s no escape and she gets her throat slit.
Back at the camp, the counselors do what comes natural to young people when their supervisor is away: they soak up some sun, get high, and have sex. As horror fans know, this means, to quote Thunderdome’s Dr. Dealgood, “dyin’ time’s here.” No doubt to the delight of many male viewers, Marcie runs around in a tight, pink top and no bra, so it’s natural for her to sneak off with Jack (Kevin Bacon). You expect them to get killed during sex, but it is revealed Ned is dead in the bunk above. It’s a good twist on expectations and creates suspense. As the movie progresses, the characters get isolated and start dropping like flies. Alice is the last person standing and eventually battles with the killer. I was surprised to learn the killer’s identity and was impressed that it was cleverer than I expected.
Albeit a bit dopey and amateurish, Friday the 13th is a good time for those who like chills and thrills and is an undeniable landmark in the history of cinema. Along with Halloween, Hitchcock’s Psycho is also an influence in its music and story, and there’s a nod to Carrie at the end. The packaging states, “This unrated version contains 10 seconds of footage different from the original R-rated version.” I don’t know what has been added, but I believe the movie would still get no worse than an R in this condition. Nearly 30 years later, it might be too slow and not gory enough for modern movie watchers.
The Blu-ray has been released to coincide with the remake, but not much was done to prepare the movie for high definition, which is presented in 1080p with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. There’s a lot of grain throughout, especially in dimly lit scenes and during a freeze frame that zooms in on the image. The colors are muted, the blacks can barely be called that, and the details aren’t in sharp focus. On the plus side, the picture looks clean and free of dirt and defect.
In regards to the audio, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 didn’t offer much. The music sounds like it’s been remixed and is too loud, which contrasts with the low levels for the dialogue. The front speakers do almost all the work as the surround offers very little beyond faint ambiance. I’d recommend going with the Dolby Digital Mono as it creates a more authentic experience.
There are a lot of special features for F13 fans. Peter Bracke, author of Crystal Lake Memories, and interview clips with cast and crew are edited together to create the commentary track, which sounds like it was recorded close to the 20th anniversary of the movie.
A number of special features are presented in HD. The highlight is the film’s original trailer. It is very evocative as the narrator counts down the bodies. A reunion of cast and crew from Kentucky’s 2008 “Scare Fest” contains anecdotes about the movie and lets fans who haven’t gotten a life ask questions. What looks to have been recorded at the same time is “Fresh Cuts: New Tales from Friday the 13th.” Composer Harry Manfriedi claims the “chi chi chi” sound on the soundtrack is actually “ki ki ki” to represent “kill,” but I don’t hear it. The movie clips used here are letterboxed, which begs the question why they aren’t on main feature. “The Man Behind the Legacy” is an interview shot at Cunningham’s home and he’s done well for himself. Something called “Lost Tales from Camp Blood Pt 1” is some vignette where Jason kills some a couple in their home. It’s terrible and utterly pointless.
Presented in standard definition and likely from a previous DVD release is “The Friday the 13th Chronicles,” which covers some of the same ground from other extras, and “Secrets Galore Behind the Gore.” It’s comical that they always inform the viewer that the clips shown are from Friday the 13th. They may have been from a larger feature about the franchise.
Considering the better technical capabilities don’t offer much to the presentation, I would recommend buying the new DVD version instead of the Blu-ray. If it’s already in your collection, it’s not worth a double dip unless your F13 devotion is high and you have to own the new extras.
