Ragnarok - original title: Gåten Ragnarok – is a 2013 Norwegian fantasy adventure monster movie directed by Mikkel Brænne Sandemose from a screenplay by John Kåre Raake. It stars Pål Sverre Hagen, Nicolai Cleve Broch, Bjørn Sundquist, Sofia Helin, and Maria Annette Tanderød Bergly.

In the US, Magnet are unleashing Ragnarok in theatres, on iTunes and on demand August 15, 2014.

Official synopsis:

Archeologist Sigurd Svendsen (Pål Sverre Hagen) has for years been obsessed with the Oseberg Viking ship. The only inscription found on the ship is the enigmatic “man knows little” written in runes. Sigurd is sure that the Oseberg ship contains the answer to the mystery of Ragnarok, the end of days in Norse mythology. When his friend Allan finds similar runes on a stone from the north of Norway, Sigurd becomes convinced that the runes are in fact a treasure map. Together they mount an expedition group, and their adventure leads to the “No Man’s Land” between Norway and Russia, which has been deserted for decades. Here Sigurd learns the true meaning of the runes – a secret more terrifying than he could possibly imagine…

Source: Dread Central

Self Storage is a 2013 American dark comedy horror film written and directed by Tom DeNucci (Army of the Damned; Almost Mercy) who also appears as Jake. It also stars Eric Roberts, Jonathan Silverman, Michael Berryman, Vanessa Leigh, Nick Principe, David Gere, Tracey Sheldon. It was produced by Chad A. Verdi for The Woodhaven Production Company.

Plot teaser:

Jake (DeNucci) is the overnight security guard at a highly-secured Self Storage facility in rural Rhode Island. When his friend’s party plans fall through, he invites them to his job site to throw a fiesta of his own. There couldn’t be a better location: removed, no people, nothing but party… right? Innocent mischief turns a naughty night of fun into an evening of horror. We soon learn that some things were meant to stay under lock and key and certain places were supposed to be left undisturbed.

Reviews:

This is over indulgent on the partying scenes but the slick presentation, character actors (Roberts and Berryman are great fun), survival kills and cynical social satire more than compensate. Somewhat flawed by a strange balance but nevertheless a promising debut from DeNucci.

Adrian J Smith, Horrorpedia

” … an unforgivably disjointed jumble of horror and comedy that falls short of succeeding at either. However, it certainly isn’t due to a lack of effort on the part of writer/director Tom DeNucci, who pulls off the hat trick here by performing the lead role of Jake as well.  Pity, because sharp, witty dialogue and an inspired plot are usually a recipe for indie success. Not so much the case with this mixed bag.” Rob Getz, HorrorNews.net

“Self Storage marks the directorial debut of filmmaker Tom DeNucci. Working from his own script, DeNucci manages to put together a film that is entertaining and effective. And although it is a bit rough around the edges in parts, Self Storage will certainly keep you intrigued throughout.” Scott Hallam, Dread Central

” … DeNucci is more concerned with focusing on the partygoers dancing, smoking pot, partying, drinking, and having sex. To make matters worse, the party shenanigans are so unbelievably boring and cliché that it will literally take all of your force of will to keep from forwarding through this one. The fact that not one, but two, extended sex scenes occur through the course of the story shows where the interests of this film lie. After an hour of lame partying to even lamer music, Roberts and Berryman strike in equally uninspired ways.” Ain’t It Cool News

Buy Self Storage on DVD from Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

IMDb | Facebook

Army of the Damned is a 2013 American horror film written and directed by Tom DeNucci (Self Storage; Almost Mercy). It stars Sully Erna (from metal band Gobsmack), Tony Todd, Michael Berryman, former porn queen Jasmin St. Claire, David Chokachi, Joey Fatone, Jackie Moore, Madeline Merritt, Nick Principe, Maria Kanellis, David Gere, Julie Ann Dawson.

Plot teaser:

The filming of a hit reality TV show goes horribly wrong when a group of small town cops respond to a call that brings a whole new meaning to the phrase, domestic disturbance…

Reviews:

“Army of the Damned is a great sophomoric effort from director Tom DeNucci. The film starts off as an atmospheric suspense-filled horror film and transitions into an all out action film, complete with tons of bullets and a large death count.  Army of the Damned is not without it flaws however,  the use of the singular location for all the action scenes and the lackluster use of Tony Todd hurt the  film, but that in no significant way ruined my enjoyment of this highly entertaining flick.” Morbidly Amusing

“Writer/director Tom DeNucci assuredly asserts himself as a horror fan through a nostalgic script full of cheeky references and the cameo casting of famous genre faces, but in doing so,Army Of The Damned becomes a low-budget, cliché ridden, copycat title deader than Fatone’s singing career. Shooting for B-Movie glory, DeNucci makes too many fatal mistakes that horror fans simply won’t stomach, relying on an overabundance of unfunny comedy and gratuitous gore – without establishing any resemblance of horror.” Matt Donato, We Got This Covered

“Another positive aspect of the film is the 80′s horror vibe given off throughout the film, which DeNucci captured very well. Given its solitary location, he also made good use of it without having that singular location feel to it. Another nod should go out to the director because of what he did with this cast of characters including professional wrestlers (Tommy Dreamer, Thea Trinidad, Maria Kanellis, et al), a rock star (Sully Erna), a former pop star (Joey Fatone) and an adult star.” Wicked Channel

 Buy on DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Rent on Instant Video | Buy on DVD from Amazon.com

Buy Army of the Damned + Croczilla on DVD from Amazon.com

IMDb | Facebook

‘Reality is not an option’

Dementamania is a 2013 British horror film directed by Kit Ryan (Botched) from a screenplay by Anis Shlewet. It stars Samuel Robertson, Vincent Regan, Kal Penn, Geoff Bell, John Thomson, Holly Weston, Anthony Cozens.

Official synopsis:

Frustrated with the social injustice he must face every day and the bureaucratic culture of the office he works in Edward Arkham is at boiling point.

Although successful in his job, working for a leading IT consultancy, years of routine have taken their toll, his work now seeming so unbearably monotonous, fuelling his frustration and bitterness.

When Edward is stung by a mysterious bug, it results in a painful and aggressive rash. It also unlocks the door to a secret world inside his head causing nightmarish fantasies to manifest themselves within vivid hallucinations. As the rash spreads and threatens to envelop his entire body, his visions become more real and reality begins to drift further and further away…

Reviews:

“Dementamania is a fun horror black comedy fusion that channels the frustrations of modern life that we can all sympathise with, into a twisted fantasy of violent desire and madness. Never afraid to walk the line between pure humour and pure horror, it is an ambitious little gem, full of creativity and a twisting plot that throws the audience into a delirious nightmare that buries right into the heart of everyday horror and angst.” Movie Ramblings

“Dementamania has a rich look and some impressive mind-warping horror effects but suffers from a hard-to-care-about protagonist and an overfamiliar descent-into-madness plot trajectory.” Kim Newman, Screen Daily

“One of the things that really stands out about Dementamania is the direction from Kit Ryan. There’s lots of innovative and refreshing camera techniques and cuts throughout which keeps the energy of the film at a high. Ryan also brings to life some of the film’s more bizarre moments with panache making a remarkably polished movie on a relatively small budget.” Entertainment Focus

“While I felt the ending becomes a bit too clichéd and almost trite, the trippy ride there through the wings of an angry hornet named Edward was worth the trip. Bloody, brutal, and sometimes even beautiful as Kit Ryan intersperses some fun techno songs with funky lighting to spice up some of the scenes, Dementamania may be a bit of a clichéd foray, but still a visually unique and downright brutal one worth taking.” Ain’t It Cool News

IMDb | Facebook

Horns is a 2013 Canadian horror film co-produced and directed by Alexandre Aja (High Tension; The Hills Have Eyes remake; Piranha 3D) from a screenplay by Keith Bunin, based on Joe Hill’s novel (Hill is Stephen King’s son). It stars Daniel Radcliffe (The Woman in Black), Max Minghella, Juno Temple, Joe Anderson, Kelli Garner, James Remar. Horns is a Red Granite Pictures and Mandalay Pictures production.

The film had its world premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, and is set to have its North American theatrical release in late 2014. The UK release date is for October 31, 2014.

Speaking to Indie Wire in Toronto, Daniel Radcliffe dexcribed the story as having “real horror and slasher horror elements but then has this incredible emotional love story in the middle of it.”

Plot teaser:

Ig Perrish (Radcliffe) is the number one suspect for the violent rape and murder of his girlfriend, Merrin (Temple). Hungover from a night of hard drinking, Ig awakens one morning to find horns starting to grow from his own head and soon realises their power drives people to confess their sins and give in to their most selfish and unspeakable impulses – an effective tool in his quest to discover the true circumstances of his late girlfriend’s tragedy and for exacting revenge on her killer… 

Reviews:

” … a Dogma-style mash-up of grim comedy and religious satire”. The Guardian

“Predominantly a failure of tone, “Horns” has plenty of admirable traits and yet dooms itself from the outset. It’s an admirable conceit stuffed into far less subtle material”. Eric Kohn, IndieWire

“While this all begins as a kind of supernatural black comedy … the tone grows darker with each revelation”. John DeFore, The Hollywood Reporter

” … benefits from the helmer’s twisted sensibility, but suffers from a case of overall silliness”. Peter Debruge, Variety

Posted by WH

Wikipedia | IMDb

Avalanche Sharks is a 2013 Canadian horror film directed by Scott Wheeler from a screenplay by Keith Shaw (The Thing Below; Malibu Shark Attack; Ice Road Terror). It stars Kate Nauta (Fear Clinic), Emily Addison, Alexander Mendeluk, Mika Brooks and Jack Cullison.

Following upon the success of Sharknado, Syfy announced a sequel and the internet was flooded with suggestions toward similar fantasy-shark topics. In October 2013, they announced a film with a working title of Sharkalanche as a sequel to Sand Sharks.

Avalanche Sharks debuted on Syfy in the USA on July 1, 2014. It will be shown on Syfy UK on July 28, 2014.

Plot teaser:

After a snowboarder inadvertently starts a major avalanche, the moving snowfield uncovers and wakes a prehistoric “snow shark” which had been trapped beneath. The shark develops an appetite for human flesh and the staff at the Twin Pines Ski Resort begins getting reports of missing people and a strange finned creature moving under the snow.

Fearing financial loss on what is their busiest event day of the year, the Bikini Snow Day, the Twin Pines management tries to hide news of the missing skiers and sightings of strange creatures. Disaster strikes as, one-by-one, the bikini-clad snow bunnies  become meals for the shark. The avalanche has cut off the roads trapping all within the Twin Pines Valley. The local sheriff allies with snowboarders to track down the monster…

Trailer review:

“There are lots of fins sliding weightlessly across the surface of the snow, and lots of women in bikinis getting eaten. The lead actor is best known for playing “Fratboy” in a Twilight film. The whole thing looks as if it was made on a budget of 15p. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a film about sharks in this post-Sharknado world.” Staurt Heritage, The Guardian

More sharks on Horrorpedia: 2-Headed Shark Attack | Cruel Jaws | Ghost Shark | Great White | Jaws | Jaws 2 | Jersey Shore Shark Attack | Jurassic Shark | Mega Shark Versus Crocosaurus | Piranha Sharks | Psycho Shark | Sand Sharks | Shark Attack 3: Megalodon | The Shark is Still Working | Shark Week | Sharknado | Sharktopus | Snow Shark | Super Shark | Swamp Shark | Zombie Shark

Cast:

• Kate Nauta as Diana
• Gina Holden as Nurse
• Emily Addison as Jenna
• Charles Evans, Jr. as Operator (voice)
• Abby Francis as Skier
• Richard Gleason as Sheriff
• Benjamin Easterday as Lars
• Eric Scott Woods as Dale
• Kelle Cantwell as Madison
• Jack Cullison as Ted
• James Ouimet as Duffy
• Nicole Helen as Carol
• Michael Dostrow as Mayor
• Mike Ruggieri as Randy
• Erin Ross as Lacy
• Patrizia Cavaliere as Karla
• Mika Brooks as Lola
• Amy Ninh as Hiro
• Jack Cullison as Ted
• Ericka Jordan as Barb
• Eric Scott Woods as Dale
• John Hundrieser as Ross Hamilton
• Haley Stewart as Beca
• Richie Million Jr. as Mike

Wikipedia | IMDb

Zombie TV is a 2013 Japanese action/horror/comedy film co-written and co-directed by Maelie Makuno, Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police; Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl; Helldriver) and Naoya Tashiro (splatter shorts: Naked Sister; Hell of the College Girls; Cannibal Maid and Killer Nurse).

It stars Maki Mizui, Takashi Nishina, Tomoya Maeno, Miyuki Torii, Jiji Bû, Hidetoshi Ezawa, Luchino Fujisaki, Yasu Genki.

Press release:

A Monty Python-esque collection of shorts, animation, sketch comedy, instructional videos and more, Zombie TV showcases the natural evolution of zombies in the 21st century, no longer a frightening menace, but rather an annoying neighbour you realise you simply have to put up with.

Zombie TV answers such natural questions as: in a world full of the undead, wouldn’t some of the surviving humans want to join the majority and become zombies themselves? Would becoming a zombie solve the emotional and relationship problems we all have as living, breathing human beings?

Do zombies have their own idols? Would zombies worship a zombie god? Who would win in a fight: a cannibal, or a zombie? How did zombies evolve from walkers into runners? And the most burning question of all: how do zombies have sex?

Buy Helldriver on Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

IMDb | Facebook

‘Sh!t just got surreal’

Septic Man is a 2013 Canadian horror film directed by Jesse Thomas Cook (Scarce; Monster Brawl) from a screenplay by Tony Burgess (Pontypool). It stars Jason David Brown, Molly Dunsworth (Hobo with a Shotgun), Tim Burd (Saw 2 and 3), Robert Maillet (Pacific Rim), Julian Richings (Survival of the Dead), Stephen McHattie.

Plot teaser:

Jack (Jason David Brown) is an average sewage worker who has been asked to investigate a water contamination in his hometown that has forced everyone else, including his pregnant wife Shelley (Molly Dunsworth), to evacuate. He decides to investigate the local sewage plant but ends up getting trapped in a septic tank by Lord Auch (Tim Burd) and his brother Giant (Robert Maillet). They refuse to let Jack out despite his pleas and the toxic sewage eventually begins to transform Jack into the hideous mutant Septic Man…

Reviews:

“Some might be put off by its seemingly nonsensical narrative and distinct lack of a straightforward plot, but with solid performances from Maillet, Richings, and Burd, a pulsing yet ambient score by Nate Kreiswirth, exceptional special effects, and, of course, Burgess’s tendency to keep you thinking long after the credits roll, Cook’s Septic Man is destined to be a divisive yet damned intriguing film.” Brad McHargue, Dread Central

“Burgess and Cook’s decision to not let their monster roam free leaves SEPTIC MAN spinning wheels. The movie rarely goes anywhere. If there’s an underlying social commentary about the crap the working class must take, it’s not clear, and Stephen McHattie’s televised cameos as a seedy mayor feels superfluous—more a fun acting choice than larger point. When Septic Man begins to accept his fate as something transformed, shouting cult-ready proclamations, it all feels unearned.” Samuel Zimmerman, Fangoria

“Even at a mere 82 minutes it felt padded (complete with unexplained precognitive dream scenes), and (spoiler) the script doesn’t even go through with the full on tragic ending, opting for something that seems to be setting up a sequel (or positioning itself as a stealth prequel to The Toxic Avenger) instead. On the plus side, Jack’s makeup is terrific; he’s completely covered in a mostly practical design aided by some minor CGI flourishes, with a few stages of deterioration like any good monster movie of this sort (The Fly being the benchmark). Brian Collins, Badass Digest

Filming locations:

Collingwood, Ontario, Canada

Wikipedia | IMDb

Posted by WH

Moebius is a 2013 South Korean drama film with strong horror elements written and directed by Kim Ki-duk (The Isle, Bad Guy). It was screened out of competition at the 70th Venice International Film Festival. The film was initially banned in South Korea, before the Korea Media Rating Board reviewed it and changed the rating.

Plot teaser:

A housewife (Lee Eun-Woo) becomes enraged with jealousy over her husband’s (Cho Jae-Hyun) affair. Meanwhile, their son (Seo Young-Joo) sits in the periphery, observing their violent confrontations. One evening, the housewife takes a kitchen knife into their bedroom to exact revenge on the father. The father though is able to repel her attack and throws her out of the bedroom. The mother then goes into the son’s room…

Moebius has a limited UK release from August 5th 2014.

Reviews:

“Moebius isn’t particularly graphic, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Relentlessly, Kim plucks away at certain visual notes — a knife’s handle sticking out of a shoulder blade, a patch of skin being rubbed raw and bloody. You kind of wish he would stop, but you understand why he doesn’t: In a movie about obsessions, his obsessiveness is a way of keeping order.” The Village Voice

“No amount of critical praise will convince you to see Moebius if the premise turns your stomach, but for followers of Kim’s fascinating but uneven career, this represents a welcome uptick. “What is family? What are desires? What are genitals?” he asks in a director’s statement handed to audience members at the Venice screening. In Moebius, those three questions share the same answer: they are all repulsively funny.” Robbie Collin, The Telegraph

“The darkness is often so over the top that it results in purposeful comedy, yet it is always comedy that carries with it a great deal of pain. If laughter and tears are so closely related then Kim exploits it very well indeed. Furthering respite to the depravity on screen is Kim’s almost fantastical way of shooting. Unlike most filmmakers, Kim is not a slave to logic, but abuses it to further his artistic exploration of key ideas. The film is one extended metaphor that delves deep into the world of family, desire and gender.” The Hollywood News

“Somehow despite it all, the film is compulsively watchable. Kim Ki-duk certainly knows his way around a camera, possessing undeniable skill in manipulating audiences even if it’s to the point of provocation. It is impossible to tear your eyes away from MOEBIUS, and not just for the freak show element. The plot is carefully constructed so as never to lapse outside of plausibility, the acting is incredibly strong across the board, complex themes about sexuality in society are easily absorbed and even the silent format never feels like a gimmick.” Phil Brown, Fangoria

Buy Moebius on DVD from Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

Wikipedia | IMDb

Will Holland

Odd Thomas is a 2013 American mystery horror film based on Dean Koontz‘s novel of the same name. It is directed, written and co-produced by Stephen Sommers and stars Anton Yelchin as Odd Thomas, with Willem Dafoe and Addison Timlin as Wyatt Porter and Stormy Llewellyn.

Plot Teaser

In less than 24 hours, the city of Pico Mundo will awaken to a day of catastrophe. When Odd, a fast food chef with the ability to see the dead and sense impending danger, discovers a dark secret about a stranger in his town, he is compelled to unravel the truth. His soul mate, Stormy, and Police Chief Porter help him on his mission. However, in pursuit of justice, Odd´s action triggers a violent chain reaction that will not be stopped unless he commits the ultimate sacrifice…

In July 2013, it was reported that the release of the film had been delayed indefinitely because of legal action by Two Out of Ten Productions and Fusion Films against Outsource Media Group and others. The suit alleges that $25 million should have been spent on prints and advertising to support a release of Odd Thomas in the U.S., and another $10 million to partially refinance certain loans. It was released on DVD in the UK in February 2014. Filming was also stopped for several weeks due to financial problems.

Buy Odd Thomas on DVD from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

“Odd Thomas is Sommers’s best work in years, if not a decade, but it’s not the sort of triumph that’ll get him out of my doghouse just yet. But, to be fair, anything short of erasing Van Helsing from existence might fail to do that. I might still be a little bitter.”  Oh The Horror!

“Odd Thomas becomes solidly entertaining. The humor worked perfectly, the surprising moments were abundant, and the characterization and special effects showed a good taste. And so, with flaws and all, the film surprisingly managed to create positive impact, opinion shared by Koontz himself who said to be pleased with the adaptation of his work.” Always Watch Good Movies 

Wikipedia | IMDb 

WH

For Elisa (original Spanish title: Para Elisa) is a 2013 Spanish horror film directed and written by Juanra Fernández,, and stars Ana Turpin, Ona Casamiquela, and Luisa Gavasa . The film’s name is a take on the Beethoven composition Für Elise.

Plot Teaser

When college student Ana (Ona Casamiquela) agrees to work as a careworker for the mentally challenged Elisa (Ana Turpin), she initially sees it as just a way to pay for a post-graduation trip. Ana sets about her job, as she doesn’t believe Elisa is too overly difficult to care for, only to soon realize that Elisa’s overbearing mother Diamantina (Luisa Gavasa) is more than just an eccentric and wealthy matron. Diamantina is also mentally unstable and kidnaps Ana with the intention of keeping her in the house forever…

Filming for Para Elisa took place during August 2012 in Cuenca, Spain.

Buy For Elisa on DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Reviews

“When the violence happens, judicious cutting saves us from witnessing the full gory details, but the foley artist’s effects take no prisoners, making the stomach turn with shocks that are much more effective through implication. Throughout Ana’s ordeal, the claustrophobic atmosphere of the apartment interior is expertly rendered by effective lighting design and a brilliant musical score by Pascual Vasquez.” Horror Hot House

“For Elisa should have been a modern masterpiece and a great throwback to classic horror. Instead, it is an utter disappointment that retroactively spoils a good setup and will leave you frustrated at just how unoriginal it is. It’s not a film that lingers in the mind for very long, which is probably for the best.” BloodGuts

“For Elisa is beautifully shot with camera angles and lighting techniques that conjure memories of suspenseful works of the 1970s. The aesthetics are absolutely amazing, as each shot is crystal clear and respectfully artsy. You don’t require an IQ of 150 to understand the intricacies of the filming process, but you can see that a blueprint was developed for the shoot.” Addicted to Horror Movies

Wikipedia | IMDb

WH

Witchfinder is a 2013 American-made short film directed by Colin Clarke and starring Dave Juehring and Valerie Meachum. It is part of the Daredevil Films stable which is based in Rockford, Illinois. It won the Best Narrative Film Award at the 2013 Mosaic World Film Festival.

“After putting a witch to death, a righteous witch hunter finds himself haunted by a spectral curse in this award-winning short horror film from director Colin Clarke (Raven’s Hollow, Frankenstein vs the Wolfman). In the spine-tingling tradition of Hammer Films, Mario Bava, and the classic Witchfinder General, with a scary ending guaranteed to creep you out enough to sleep with the lights on!”

A noteworthy lesson in ‘less-is-more’, Witchfinder, over the course of 18 minutes, achieves more through what it doesn’t show and a surprising stillness to the cinematography and performance than many offensively-budgeted films do over a tortuous 90 or more minutes. There’s little to shake the rafters in terms of plot innovation but the balance of driving forward the plot whilst maintaining a measured and restrained drama to proceedings is impressive. A simple, broken local approaches his local neighbourhood witch, asking for the object of his affections to turn her attentions from her lover to him. Witch obliges through some messy smearing and some incantation of Devil names. Witchfinder interrupts, gets busy with a hammer and an iron mask – bad things happen. What more do you need?

Shot in rural Illinois in a distant time of Goodwives and succubi, on a very basic level this is competent enough not to have digital watches and flashy cars on show but far more than this, there’s little to suggest this was made with limited resources. One would hope that even with money to burn the film-makers would keep things this simple. The acting is not stellar but no-one disgraces themselves and there are no attempts at make-me-a-superstar histrionics. There’s no time to give us heady character development or complex back-stories, so we’re left with a good old-fashioned yarn, one without showbiz and larks but heavy on atmosphere and a strange sadness. It must be said that short films do little for me as a rule, filling a gap in the market I don’t recognise as necessarily being there but Witchfinder shows promise for bigger and better things. It also nails my attention-span at being pretty much dead on 18 minutes.

Daz Lawrence, Horrorpedia

http://vimeo.com/70819282

http://daredevilfilms.net/

Poseidon Rex is a 2013 American sci-fi horror film directed by Mark L. Lester (Class of 1984; Firestarter). It stars Brian Krause, Anne McDaniels and Steven Helmkamp.

Plot teaser:

A small, secluded island off the coast of Belize suddenly finds itself terrorized by a deadly predator from the planet’s distant past when deep sea divers accidentally awaken an ancient evil…

Buy Poseidon Rex on DVD from Amazon.co.uk

“The often inane screenplay, by frequent Lester collaborator Rafael Jordan (Dragons of Camelot, Pterodactyl), vaguely recognizable cast struggling to make the script seem intelligible and strictly functional cinematography betray the movie’s most earnest intentions, however. Lacking sufficient self-parody to entertain as a campy monster-movie spoof or the budget to thrill as action-adventure or sci-fi, much like the creature it depicts, Poseidon Rex represents a throwback that even its own distributor can’t really get behind.” Justin Lowe, The Hollywood Reporter

“I have seen numerous films in this current, decade-long wave of cheap monster movies – from Sharknado to Spring Break Shark Attack to Megalodon – andPoseidon Rex, by measuring against its peers, stands a mite taller. It’s not a hidden gem by any means, but it has a slickness and a professionalism that is certainly lacking from the relatively snarky Sharknado or the even-cheaper mockbusters produced by The Asylum. One can always tell if the makers of a B-movie are sincere about making an entertaining film, or if they’re just being cynical. The makers of Poseidon Rex clearly meant it.” Witney Seibold, Nerdist

“The action sequences are nonsensical and cheesy, as expected, but Poseidon Rex fails to get even remotely creative with its kills, which greatly damages the final product and the primary reason most people will watch the movie. Most would be willing to endure unbearable dialogue and a groan inducing love story for a few spectacularly silly dinosaur kills, but we are deprived of such.” Cliff Wheatley, IGN

IMDb

WH

Wer (also known as Kurt) is a 2013 American horror film directed by William Brent Bell (Stay Alive; The Devil Inside) from a screenplay co-written with Matthew Peterman. It stars A.J. Cook (Wishmaster 3; Ripper; Final Destination 2), Brian Scott O’Connor, Simon Quarterman, Sebastian Roché (Supernatural; The Vampire Diaries), Vik Sahay.

A US release on DVD is slated for September 23, 2014.

Plot teaser:

Defense attorney Kate (A.J. Cook) is called to defend the creepy, yet gentle, Talan (Brian Scott O’Connor) after he is charged with the murders of a vacationing family. She soon learns that he is a werewolf and that he may have been all too capable of the slayings. Things take a turn for the worse when Talan escapes from his imprisonment and runs loose through the city of Paris…

Filming location:

Bucharest, Romania

Wikipedia | IMDb

The Harvest is a 2014 horror film directed by John McNaughton (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer; The Borrower) from a screenplay by Stephen Lancellotti (Digger) for Elephant Eye Films. It stars Samantha Morton, Michael Shannon, Natasha Calis, Charlie Tahan, Peter Fonda, Leslie Lyles, Meadow Williams.

Plot teaser:

A couple who keeps their sick son in a secluded environment find their controlled lives challenged by a young girl who moves in next door.

Reviews:

” …an eccentric, character-rich chiller more akin to classic Stephen King (think Stand by Me) than anything being done in horror these days … Adding to the film’s refreshingly timeless quality is a series of old-fashioned decisions that serve to set the tone, as McNaughton insists on shooting on celluloid, ordering a full orchestral score and working with first-rate actors instead of expendable nobodies.” Peter Debruge, Variety

“While there are several standout moments in the film, it’s constantly marred by an underwhelming screenplay that has a few too many inconsistencies to support the development of tension or believability. The insistent need for extravagant twists undermines the logic of the narrative, something unnecessary here considering the intensity of the performances.” Nicholas Bell, ION Cinema!

Filming locations:

New York, USA

IMDb | Official site

Not Human aka Omnibus: Alien Invasion is a 2013 American sci-fi horror film directed by Adam R. Steigert. It stars Jason John Beebe, Robert Bozek and Bill Brown.

Not Human is being released on VOD on September 9, 2014 with the DVD/Blu-ray release in December 2014.

Plot teaser:

Metzburgh is a quiet village which was a former industrial town whose glory days are long past after the collapse of Metzburgh Grain. Teenager Mark Lowe (Jason John Beebe) and his ex-girlfriend Lucy Greenheart (Sarah Manzella) are stuck in a lovers quarrel when a meteorite crash lands in the passive community. Glen (Robert Bozek ), an ex-employee of the grain silos who became homeless after the collapse of the mills, stumbles upon the fiery crash. Unaware that his find could be dangerous, he gets too close and a chemical poison sprays out of the meteorite, enveloping him. The chemical agent known as Ombis begins to turn his insides into a slimly substance. Unable to stop the spread of the infection, Glen runs onto the road where Mark and Lucy find him. The two take him to the only Doctor in town, Doctor D (Deborah Manzella) Mark and Lucy are shocked by their gruesome discovery and immediately contact the local Sheriff Thomas Brackett (Richard Satterwhite) who is on a date with a lovely waitress Daisy (Kathy Murphy). With their date being interrupted, they aid the traumatized love birds. With no sign of the creature or its victims, Brackett dismisses Mark’s fantastic story…

‘Reality is not an option’

Dementamania is a 2013 British horror film directed by Kit Ryan (Botched) from a screenplay by Anis Shlewet. It stars Samuel Robertson, Vincent Regan, Kal Penn, Geoff Bell, John Thomson, Holly Weston, Anthony Cozens.

Official synopsis:

Frustrated with the social injustice he must face every day and the bureaucratic culture of the office he works in Edward Arkham is at boiling point.

Although successful in his job, working for a leading IT consultancy, years of routine have taken their toll, his work now seeming so unbearably monotonous, fuelling his frustration and bitterness.

When Edward is stung by a mysterious bug, it results in a painful and aggressive rash. It also unlocks the door to a secret world inside his head causing nightmarish fantasies to manifest themselves within vivid hallucinations. As the rash spreads and threatens to envelop his entire body, his visions become more real and reality begins to drift further and further away…

Reviews:

“Dementamania is a fun horror black comedy fusion that channels the frustrations of modern life that we can all sympathise with, into a twisted fantasy of violent desire and madness. Never afraid to walk the line between pure humour and pure horror, it is an ambitious little gem, full of creativity and a twisting plot that throws the audience into a delirious nightmare that buries right into the heart of everyday horror and angst.” Movie Ramblings

“Dementamania has a rich look and some impressive mind-warping horror effects but suffers from a hard-to-care-about protagonist and an overfamiliar descent-into-madness plot trajectory.” Kim Newman, Screen Daily

“One of the things that really stands out about Dementamania is the direction from Kit Ryan. There’s lots of innovative and refreshing camera techniques and cuts throughout which keeps the energy of the film at a high. Ryan also brings to life some of the film’s more bizarre moments with panache making a remarkably polished movie on a relatively small budget.” Entertainment Focus

“While I felt the ending becomes a bit too clichéd and almost trite, the trippy ride there through the wings of an angry hornet named Edward was worth the trip. Bloody, brutal, and sometimes even beautiful as Kit Ryan intersperses some fun techno songs with funky lighting to spice up some of the scenes, Dementamania may be a bit of a clichéd foray, but still a visually unique and downright brutal one worth taking.” Ain’t It Cool News

IMDb | Facebook

Horns is a 2013 Canadian horror film co-produced and directed by Alexandre Aja (High Tension; The Hills Have Eyes remake; Piranha 3D) from a screenplay by Keith Bunin, based on Joe Hill’s novel (Hill is Stephen King’s son). It stars Daniel Radcliffe (The Woman in Black), Max Minghella, Juno Temple, Joe Anderson, Kelli Garner, James Remar. Horns is a Red Granite Pictures and Mandalay Pictures production.

The film had its world premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, and is set to have its North American theatrical release in late 2014. The UK release date is for October 31, 2014.

Speaking to Indie Wire in Toronto, Daniel Radcliffe dexcribed the story as having “real horror and slasher horror elements but then has this incredible emotional love story in the middle of it.”

Plot teaser:

Ig Perrish (Radcliffe) is the number one suspect for the violent rape and murder of his girlfriend, Merrin (Temple). Hungover from a night of hard drinking, Ig awakens one morning to find horns starting to grow from his own head and soon realises their power drives people to confess their sins and give in to their most selfish and unspeakable impulses – an effective tool in his quest to discover the true circumstances of his late girlfriend’s tragedy and for exacting revenge on her killer… 

Reviews:

” … a Dogma-style mash-up of grim comedy and religious satire”. The Guardian

“Predominantly a failure of tone, “Horns” has plenty of admirable traits and yet dooms itself from the outset. It’s an admirable conceit stuffed into far less subtle material”. Eric Kohn, IndieWire

“While this all begins as a kind of supernatural black comedy … the tone grows darker with each revelation”. John DeFore, The Hollywood Reporter

” … benefits from the helmer’s twisted sensibility, but suffers from a case of overall silliness”. Peter Debruge, Variety

Wikipedia | IMDb

Horrorpedia on Social Media: Facebook (Follow) | Facebook (Social Group) | Pinterest | Tumblr | Twitter

Slew Hampshire is a 2013 American horror film directed by Flood Reed and starring Dayo Okeniyi, Shawn Thomas, and Tyler Rice.

The film was recognised for containing the “Goriest Scene of the Year” in Rue Morgue Magazine‘s 2013 Year in Review (Issue #141).

Plot teaser:

In June 1994, one of the most brutal mass slaughters in history occurred in the woods of northern New England.

Four months later, history is about to repeat itself. What begins as a humorous comedy of errors quickly becomes a Darwinian gore fest, and what unfolds is a cerebral yet repulsive journey through the history and nature of humanity and ‘civilization.’ With four distinct clans vying for supremacy and survival in the woods of New Hampshire, less than 24 hours will pass before a slew of lives have been claimed and the last of the living remains…

Review:

“It’s a unique movie that you won’t feel unfamiliar with, and that’s just one of its many tricks. Slew Hampshire actually requires you to think about it after its done, and how often does that happen with movies that essentially show themselves to be shlock horror? This is shlock, exploitation, creature feature, teen comedy and Darwinism, all trapped in the middle of the woods. So basically – fun, a little confusing and reeks of filth.” Film Bizarro

IMDb

WH

Lemon Tree Passage is a 2013 Australian horror film directed by David Campbell from a screenplay he co-wrote with Erica Brien. It stars Jessica Tovey, Nicholas Gunn, Pippa Black, Tim Phillipps, Andrew Ryan, Tim Pocock, Piera Forde and Dean Kirkright.

Plot teaser:

When a group of young backpackers learn of a ghost said to appear in the rear-view mirror of a speeding car they set out to recreate it with the help of some locals. After speeding down Lemon Tree Passage, a remote road surrounded by dense woods, their jubilation turns to terror as one by one each passenger begins to disappear in a violent fashion. Isolated and ten thousand miles from home, the tourists find themselves caught in the clutches of a malevolent force much more heinous than the local myth they set out to experience.

IMDb