We’re back with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes details on the Lethal Ladies of Horror Film Festival, House of Monsters concept art, a Chainsaw Sally: The Animated Series casting update, multiple trailers, reviews, and much more:
Lethal Ladies of Horror Film Festival Details: “You can’t keep a lethal lady down. Flicks for Fans and Arrow in the Head, the team behind last year’s Evil Dead Fest, are proud to present the resurrection of the all new Lethal Ladies of Horror Film Festival Saturday, March 29th, 2014 at the famed art deco-themed 1940’s built Crest Theatre in Westwood, CA. This will be an amazing event for all film fans and those with an appreciation for strong roles by women in horror. As always Flicks for Fans will have much for fans who attend the fest including great concession specials, cool Lethal Ladies themed décor and even rare trailers and ads – it’s going to be a night to remember.
Beginning the evening will be Sam Raimi’s horror classic “Drag Me To Hell” with a special Q&A appearance by evil gypsy woman Lorna Raver. Next up will be “Night of the Comet”, where lethal ladies Catherine Mary Stewart and Kelli Maroney will be in attendance to represent the 80’s classic for a special 30th Anniversary screening in 35mm. Finally, Flicks for Fans is proud to not only present a big screen presentation of the John Carpenter classic “Christine”, but there will also be a special viewing of “Christine” herself – the 1958 Plymouth Fury. This is one of only two cars left in existence that was actually used in the film and it will be on display for fans to enjoy. Plus as a bonus we will have various cast and crew from “Christine” in house as well for a Q&A after the show.
Flicks for Fans is once again teaming up with iconic horror site Arrow in the Head for this fest and Arrow writer James “Jimmy O” Oster will again host and moderate the event.
Tickets are on-sale at the Crest Box Office or online.”
For more information about this event, and to purchase tickets, go to: http://www.crestwestwood.com
———
The Killer Release Details: “A very short sequel to Everyone Must DIE! from the perspective of The Killer. Some questions are answered, while some may be raised.”
———
House of Monsters Web Series and Concept Art: “Built around a 2012 stop-motion short film of the same name, the new House of Monsters web series is a throwback to the classic Rankin/Bass holiday specials like Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and Mad Monster Party. House of Monsters is created by Dawn Brown, a successful Hollywood concept artist, whose credits include Alice in Wonderland, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Hunger Games movies. When Brown was developing new character designs for the House of Monsters Kickstarter campaign, she turned to veteran concept artist Warren Manser. Manser’s credits include Man of Steel, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and Thor.
The series follows mummies, werewolves, vampires and friends through their adventures in an ominous castle perched over a fearful village. House of Monsters will begin production after the Kickstarter campaign wraps April 17, 2014. The series will premiere on Amazon.com early next year.”
For more information on this project, concept art, and character designs, visit: http://www.houseofmonstersmovie.com
———
Utero Wraps Production: “An agoraphobic unwed mother finds her psyche unraveling as she becomes convinced that her unborn child is more monster than human.
Writer/Director Bryan Coyne’s (Harvard Park and Incarnate) new horror film Utero wrapped principal photography this week in Los Angeles. The entirety of the movie was shot in Los Angeles and was independently financed by Coinopflix. Jonathan Higgins and Jessica Cameron (Truth or Dare) produced the film with former Platinum Studios executive Richard Marincic (Cowboys and Aliens, Dylan Dog: Dead Of Night).
Utero is a character-driven story that is structured in a similar fashion of the horror films of yesteryear. Audiences will be in for a treat as the story is original, and not a retread of storylines that is all too common in today’s market.“
For more information on Utero, visit the film’s Twitter page at: https://twitter.com/UteroFilm or over on Instagram at: http://instagram.com/uterofilm
———
Chainsaw Sally: The Animated Series Casting Update: “Chainsaw Sally: The Animated Series is certainly keeping up with the momentum.
Bloody Bombshell Entertainment and Fatality Films are pleased to announce that April Burril, the original Chainsaw Sally, will be voicing the animated version of herself. Also, bringing their vocal talents to the series will be Christopher Judge (Stargate SG-1) and Tristan Risk (American Mary).
Jimmy-O Burril will be working alongside director Mike Disa (Dead Space: Aftermath, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto) to bring these characters to life.”
———
Found Footage from Patrick: Evil Awaits: “When a young nurse begins work at an isolated psychiatric ward, she quickly becomes fascinated with Patrick, a brain dead patient who is the subject of a mad scientist’s cruel and unusual experiments. What starts as an innocent fascination quickly takes a sinister turn as Patrick begins to use his psychic powers to manipulate her every move, and send her life into a terrifying spiral out of control.”
———
Zombie ATX Gameplay and First Details: “Zombie ATX is a MMO party game for iOS/Android that with feature a suite of game modes based in a post-apocalyptic, zombie-filled universe. You’ll rescue survivors, rebuild civilization, and kill a #$@! load of walking dead.
The Rundown on Zombie ATX:
A suite of zombie-themed games that integrate with each other. Innovative gameplay that takes familiar genres and makes them new again.
Cross-platform integration so you can play with iOS & Android friends. Boatloads of new content at unbelievable prices. Hyper local ads that connect you with businesses in your area and don’t interrupt gameplay. The first game mode is Zombie Cardio, an endless runner where you save citizens and rack up an undead body count while protecting Austin. They’re hoping to finish at least two more game modes before launch.
Zombie ATX is turning to Kickstarter to speed development and grow interest in the game. As rewards they’re offering in-game credit, early access to Zombie Cardio, or even the opportunity to be immortalized as a zombie or hero.”
For more information, go to: http://zombieatx.com/kickstarter
———
Film Freaks Trading Cards Release Details: “Film Freaks is a new section of our website that contains renditions of my favorite freaks in horror & sci-fi in the form of art prints. But now, we will be putting into circulation a limited set of FILM FREAKS TRADING CARDS!
And the best part. THESE ARE FREE!
Starting with these first 5 designs. ZOMBI, Dr.TONGUES, SCANNERS, PUMPKINHEAD, and COTTON CANDY COCOONS.
The front has my art rendering of a character or monster, and the back has some fun info about that character or movie, written by yours truly. I will [put] a few new ones into circulation every couple of months too.
1 card will randomly be inserted into EVERY online order starting NOW! So you could get a different card each time, or the same one. It’s all completely random, just like the old days!
Every few months, I will also add more designs into circulation. So just like Pokemon, YOU GOTTA CATCH EM ALL!”
To get this limited set of trading cards, go to: http://cavitycolors.com
———
Dead Sexy: The Unofficial Walking Dead Fan Guide Release Details: “Riverdale Avenue Books’ Pop Imprint has just released a second edition of the successful book, “Dead Sexy: The Unofficial Walking Dead Fan Guide to Zombie Style, Beauty, Parties, and a Ghoul-Lurching UNlifestyle.” This is the second pop culture book produced and written by Paula Conway featuring an exclusive private sale to a targeted audience.
“Dead Sexy” assumes we are living in a present zombie apocalypse, and that many people around us are in fact, zombies. The UNlifestyle guide includes: a section on zombie etiquette from celebrity etiquette expert, Dawn Bryan; zombie dating guidelines; dead sexy travel destinations; and more than 60 exclusive dead sexy deals with deep discounts on fashion, food, beauty, travel, and more.
The author of “Dead Sexy” is Paula Conway who wrote and produced “Throw a True Blood Party”, (Riverdale Avenue Books, 2013), the bestselling book “The Beauty BUYble” (Harper Collins, 2007),”The Everything Calorie Counting Cookbook” (Adams Media, 2007), and the upcoming “Turning Heads: Oscar Blandi’s Celebrity Styles”.
All deals, discounts and offers require a unique code, varied and set by the merchandiser, which can only be obtained by purchasing the book. Many also have embedded links, only accessible through the book.
Published by Riverdale Avenue Books, “Dead Sexy” is available both electronically and in print nationwide through Ingram Publisher Services.”
For more information, or to purchase this book, head over to Barnes and Noble or Amazon
———
The Laughing Mask Trailer: “The Laughing Mask begins with Jake Johnson. After the brutal death of his wife, Jaycee, and the disappearance of his daughter, Barbara, Jake will do whatever is necessary to capture the man the media has dubbed: “The Laughing Mask.” As the corpses begin to pile up, Jake has to find help in the detective skills of Kate O’Malley. Together, they will play a deadly cat and mouse game with a killer, in order to find Jake’s daughter and avenge the death of his wife. But, The Laughing Mask knows of Jake’s desires for revenge and he has plans of his own.
The Laughing Mask is an indie horror co-production from America and Brazil and from director Michael Aguiar and production house Bravestarr Pictures. Recently, The Laughing Mask was shot and completed in Florida, over a rigorous twenty-eight day shooting schedule. The Director of Photography, William Schweikert, used a Red Epic camera to capture all of the horrifying imagery, while Daniel Mazikowski (The Sadist) handled all Special Effects. Also, the cast was compromised of several rising stars, including Fran Rafferty, Inge Uys, Gabriel Lee, Sheyenne Rivers and Thomas Noel Smith.
Director Aguiar says of the teaser and the film: “my idea for this film film was to have a thriller and horror film in the vein of Angel Heart (1987) and John Carpenter’s Halloween; I wanted to keep all the effects as practical as possible. This is an old school horror film and I hope fans will be pleased with the results.””
To learn more, go to the film’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/TheLaughingMask
———
The UK’s Horror Channel Nightmare App: “The UK’s Horror Channel have released a twist on traditional sleep applications. It harnesses mobile sleep monitoring technology to induce a real nightmare when users are most susceptible to suggestion in their dreams.
How does it work? You place the phone next to your pillow and listen to a short horror story as you fall asleep. As soon as the phone detects a REM dream phase, subtle story-related sound effects kick in to influence the subconscious and the nightmare begins.
In the morning, or when the users are awoken by their nightmare, you can check the results – are you a Big Sissy or the Master of Terror? The individual graph reveals your chicken level and the results can be shared via social media with space for details on the Nightmare.
The App features 3 original stories written by UK horror writer K.R. Griffiths plus two from the Horror Channel’s movie library including Bob Clark’s Sorority House horror classic Black Christmas, and Lucio Fulci’s infamous ‘Video nasty’ House by the Cemetery.
Research has revealed the last thing we think about before we fall sleep, can effect the content of our dreams [1]. Studies have also shown that external stimuli presented during the REM dream phase can also alter dream content [2]. Combining these principles the Horror Channel has developed ‘Night Terror’ to transform your dreams into nightmares.
The Free app is available for iOS on the App Store and will soon be available to Android users.”
For more information on this app, or to download it, visit: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/night-terror/id780565055?mt=8
———
Tin Can Man Trailer: “Recently dumped by his girlfriend for another man, working in a job he hates, things could be better for Peter. One night, while he is alone in his apartment, there is a knock at the door. His life will never be the same again.
BrinkVision releases the critically acclaimed, award winning Tin Can Man on VOD and Special Edition DVD on April 22nd! Tin Can Man has been called terrifying, frightening, superb, and stylish. It’s David Lynch by way of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre with bone-chilling directing by Ivan Kavanough, and brilliant acting by Patrick O’Donnell and Michael Parle.”
———
Blood Cousins Release Details: “On the anniversary of their grandmother’s death, four cousins, as close as brothers, reconnect on a road trip to the Texas Rio Grande Valley to pay respects to the woman who helped raise them. Hidden beneath their friendship, the truth of their childhood surfaces to reveal a darkness in the family that won’t stop until the cousin’s lives are changed forever.
Blending comedy, Mexican folklore and terror, Blood Cousins puts a new spin on revenge films and defines the word,’retribution’.
The award winning comedy troupe and band of filmmakers, Comedia A Go-Go, are proud to announce the online distribution of their first feature movie, Blood Cousins. After select theatrical and film festival screenings filled with laughs and gasps, Comedia A Go-Go is excited to expand their audience for their comedic horror/revenge film.
Blood Cousins will be available for instant streaming and HD downloads on March 14th, 2014.”
For more information, and to stream or download Blood Cousins, go to: http://www.bloodcousinsmovie.com
———
Dead Rivalry Teaser Trailer: “The film focuses on two serial killers on the lonely road who team up as student and teacher, while a private detective and his nephew search for a missing person. The movie is independently financed and features practical effects such as body moulding and rear projection.”
Dead Rivalry was written by Jeremy Thornhill and directed by Garret Henry.
To learn more, go to the film’s Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/DeadRivalry or on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/DeadRivalry
———
Wrath Concept Art and Casting Details: “In September of 2013, it was announced that Scott Spiegel (Intruder, Evil Dead 2, Hostel 3) would be returning to the director’s chair for the upcoming feature film Wrath.
In an exclusive announcement from the Spiegel/Andrea A. Albin owned Fatality Films, the company has released the concept art for the film.
Also, actors Vernon Wells (Commando, Mad Max 2, Weird Science) and Timothy Patrick Quill (Army of Darkness, Oz the Great and Powerful) have signed on to join the cast.”
———
Beyond the Grave Trailer: “In a devastated post-apocalyptic world where the rules of reality are transformed by magic and madness, a vengeful police officer searches for a possessed serial killer in a battle of the not-so-good versus absolute evil.
Written, Produced and Directed by Davi de Oliveira Pinheiro, Beyond the Grave stars Rafael Tombini (Officer), Alvaro Rosacosta (Franco), Ricardo Seffner (Shooter), Amanda Grimaldi (Nina), Luciana Verch (Adriene), Leandro Lefa (Ashley), Tatiana Paganella (The Dark Rider I), and Adriano Basegio (The Dark Rider II).”
For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/porto.dos.mortos.oficial
———
First Details on Interkozmosz: “Bandi is a 51-year old fanatic sci-fi geek. He grinds his days lonely in a small Hungarian village and he subsists on repairing electronic devices as a self-employed. His parents died, he does not have any friends and he has minimal relations with the external world. Since his childhood he has collected everything that is related to space research, astronomy and science fiction: magazines, films, news articles and pieces of information. His devotion has grown exceptionally when the country’s exclusive space telecommunications ground station was built when he was 15. Owing to the film we can track one of Bandi’s Sundays by getting acquainted with his individual views and closed world: his unusual routines, awe-inspiring collection of relics, his radio broadcasting station furnished at the parish and his secret room guarded by 7 locks.
Trailer coming in April 2014.”
For more information, and to keep up with the progress of this film, visit: http://www.facebook.com/banhegyi
———
Indie Spotlight Review: Slumber Party Massacre Blu-ray
by Kristian Hanson
The Slumber Party Massacre is another great cult horror film Scream Factory has given a high-definition upgrade and it does not disappoint. For those that are not familiar with the 1982 movie, Trish (Michele Michaels) invites her high school girls’ basketball teammates over for a slumber party, and end sup with “an unexpected guest- an escaped mental patient and his portable power drill- crashing the party.”
From the beginning of the movie, you can tell that the high-definition transfer has been done with care and from the original camera negative. The blood is bright red and the deaths are plenty. Being a Roger Corman-funded film, you should know what to expect when it comes to gore, blood, and nudity. Between the deaths and humor, it is easy to see why this is a cult classic among slasher fans.
The special features are plenty and include the “Sleepless Nights: The Making of the Slumber Party Massacre” documentary and also the Interview with Rigg Kennedy (The gardening neighbor). The commentary track with director Amy Holden Jones andaActors Michael Villella/ Debra De Liso are enjoyable to listen to them recount their time on set and how the film was made.
Overall, the movie is enjoyable, the gore is well done for such a low budget horror film, and the love and passion can be seen not only in the film itself, but in the care and restoration from Scream Factory. Definitely worth picking up and showing at your own slumber party!
———
Trailer for Wicked Blood and Kristian’s Impressions
Wicked Blood has a well-known cast and they do a phenomenal job to bring this story to life. This film is a slow burn film where there isn’t a lot of action but great character development. The movie stars Abigail Breslin (Zombieland) as Hannah, a high school chess player caught up in the wrong family. Hannah’s father has recently passed away and now she lives with uncle (Lew Temple) and sister (Alexa Vega). Abigail’s character is lost and doesn’t know really what to do. She wants to make money, so she becomes a runner for her drug lord uncle played by Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings). I enjoyed the acting, along with how the story developed, and recommend giving it a viewing when the chance arises. Take a look at the trailer below:
The post Indie Spotlight appeared first on Daily Dead.