The House at the End of Time – La casa del fin de los tiempos – is a 2013 Venezuelan supernatural horror film written and directed by Alejandro Hidalgo. It stars Ruddy Rodríguez, Gonzalo Cubero, Rosmel Bustamente and Guillermo Garcia.

The film was well received in its country of origin and became the highest grossing thriller of all-time in Venezuela.

Plot:

In 1981, Dulce (Ruddy Rodríguez) lived in an old house with her sons Leopoldo (Rosmel Bustamante) and Rodrigo (Hector Mercado), and her husband Juan José (Gonzalo Cubero). During that time she experienced multiple cases of strange supernatural phenomena, most notably an elderly woman that continues to warn her that Juan José will soon murder their children.

Dulce desperately tries to keep this from happening but is not only unsuccessful, but is also shocked when the police arrive and find that Juan José has also been killed. As there are no other people in the house, Dulce is arrested and imprisoned for the murder.

Thirty years later, an elderly Dulce has been released from jail, but under the requirement that she serve the rest of her sentence under house arrest in the very house where the murders took place. Once settled, she is visited by a local priest (Guillermo Garcia) who wants desperately to get her to turn back to religion. She successfully manages to enlist his help in discovering what exactly happened in her home thirty years ago…

Buy on Instant Video | DVD from Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Reviews:

” …one of the most inventive supernatural thrillers to come along in a while – an impressive, confident and creepy debut from Venezuelan writer-director Alejandro Hidalgo. This fresh voice in the genre adopts many of the usual genre tropes, however, he crafts them in a relentless, meticulous manner to serve a story that is full of shocking twists and turns.” Ryan Turek, Shock Till You Drop

“A cleverly constructed horror film, Alejandro Hidalgo’s The House at the End of Time plays like a surprising short story on a rainy evening. A patient, reflective work that’s less concerned with ghosts than with how we haunt ourselves, the Venezuelan feature pores over the nature of regret and personal slights, and comes to a mature conclusion in the process.” Samuel Zimmerman, Fangoria

‘End of Time looks great, with a palette of blue, black and gold helping the story move between moments of suspense and beauty […] There are myriad other aspects worthy of praise including the set design, editing and especially the performances…’ Gary Collinson, Flickering Myth

Wikipedia | IMDb

‘When evil comes… it will be in human form’

There Are Monsters is a 2013 Canadian found footage horror film written and directed by Jay Dahl (Halloween Party) and is a feature version of his 2008 short film of the same name. It stars Matthew Amyotte, Jason Daley and Michael Ray Fox.

There are monsters… but we can’t see them coming. The world is being taken over – slowly, quietly and efficiently by creatures that look just like us!

There Are Monsters follows a crew of film students on an innocent road trip who discover evidence of these evil doppelgangers. The crew beings to realize something is very wrong and the world changes before their eyes – and their cameras…

In the UK, the film is released on DVD and Amazon Instant VOD by The Works on 22 May 2017.

Buy: Amazon.co.uk

Main cast:

Matthew Amyotte, Jason Daley (My Dead Girlfriend), Michael Ray Fox, Guy Germaine, Suzanne Hawkins, Kristin Langille, Kathryn McCormack, Loretta Yu (Hemlock Grove; Vampire Bats).

IMDb

Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong is a 2013 American comedy horror film directed by Charles Band from a screenplay by Kent Roudebush (Evil Bong 666; Ooga Booga; Zombies vs. Strippers; et al). The Full Moon Features production is about a battle between the namesake characters from two of their film series, The Gingerdead Man and Evil Bong.

The demonic serial killer Gingerdead Man is on an island, being fanned by topless women. He plans to murder Sarah Leigh, and the scene switches to Larnell, who is running a store. Larnell then goes to buy a cookie, and the film switches to Sarah Leigh flash backing to The Gingerdead Man movie. The Gingerdead Man kills two people working at the bakery and searches for Sarah Leigh.

The Gingerdead Man tracks down the lone survivor of his earlier murderous rampage, Sarah Leigh. But his murderous plans are thwarted when Sarah meets Larnell, who has a problem of his own: the evil bong, Eebee, has been unleashed once again. Bodies begin to pile up as the Gingerdead Man carves a path of mayhem. The only hope for Sarah and Larnell is to seek help from the dastardly Bong…

Reviews:

“This is what happens when digital technology meets with old school props and makeup, when a stoner’s laid-back approach mixes with just enough ambition and financing to get the film printed and distributed. In the marketing material we’re told that Gary Busey and Tommy Chung star in the movie, but that’s basically a lie. They appear for brief moments in archival footage from the earlier films…” Molly Laich, Missoula Independent

“A lot of the scenes are still superfluous, but it doesn’t matter because they’re mostly fun. Especially seeing how they decided to bring the two franchises together. It’s so much more simple than I would have guessed, but they come together quite naturally. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that this was Full Moon’s plan all along.” Will, Silver Emulsion Film Reviews

“Gingerdead Man Vs. Evil Bong is little more than a series of unrelated scenes and characters with little concern for plot and zero thought put into pacing. I cannot fathom why Band, who directed, continues to hire Kent Roudebush to write his scripts; none of his output (Zombies Vs. Strippers, Unlucky Charms, Killer Eye: Halloween Haunt) has been the least bit redeeming.” Alex Di Vincenzo, Broke Horror Fan

“There is plenty of nudity, an abundance of one liners, returning characters and pseudo-cameos, but no truly mobile critter. A good horror icon “versus” film should have a script that unites both universes and serve both antagonists. It’s the case here, but, sadly, it doesn’t know whether it wants to be a horror movie or a stoner comedy…” Steve Hutchison, Tales of Terror

Cast and characters:

• Robin Sydney as Sarah Leigh / Luann
• Tian Wang as Asian Tourist
• Mindy Robinson as Poontang Girl #1 / Bikini Girl #1
• Timothy A. Bennett as Perv Customer
• Orson Chaplin as Hesher #2
• Ryan Curry as Larry
• Sonny Carl Davis as Rabbit
• The Don as String
• Joss Glennie-Smith as Hesher #1
• Chanell Heart as Poontang Girl #2 / Bikini Girl #3
• John Patrick Jordan as Larnell
• Jinhee Joung as Asian Wife
• John Karyus as The Gingerdead Man Mouth
• Victoria Levine as Debbie
• Masuimi Max as Uber Poontang Girl / Bikini Girl #2
• Amy Paffrath as Velicity
• Chance A. Rearden as Hambo
• Megan Steele as Body Double

Wikipedia | IMDb

‘Never let them hear you scream’

Nightmare Box is a 2013 British horror film directed by Jon Keeyes from a screenplay co-written with Carl Kirshner. It stars Johanna Stanton, Nicholas Ball and Debbie Rochon.

A young woman wakes up trapped inside a room with no memory of her past. As times ticks by, a bizarre mix of real and surreal characters visit her; some seeming to aid her while others torment her. Unable to escape, she must put together the pieces of a riddle to discover who she is and how she got here…

The film has been picked up for distribution in 2017 by Summer Hill Entertainment.

Main cast:

Johanna Stanton, Nicholas Ball, Debbie Rochon, Matthew Tompkins, Hayden Tweedie, Katie Kensit, Sal Esen, Claire Jared, James Simmons, Scott Christie, Laura Whitehurst, Craig Bramley, Carl Kirshner.

IMDb | Facebook | Official site

‘The North. The South. The Undead.’

Army of Frankensteins is a 2013 American comedy science fiction horror film written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt (The Jurassic Games; Gremlin). It stars Jordan Farris, Rett Terrell and John Ferguson.

This film should not be confused with Richard Raaphorst’s Frankenstein’s Army, made the same year.

After Alan Jones is savagely beaten by a street gang, he ends up at the lab of mad scientist Dr. Tanner Finski and his assistant Igor, a child genius. There, Jones discovers that he is the key to an experiment that involves Frankenstein’s monster. When the experiment goes wrong, Finski sends Jones and Igor back in time to the American Civil War, where an interdimensional portal has allowed an army of monsters to converge…

Buy: Amazon.com

Reviews:

” …plenty of scenes that are full of action, with some slick CGI used as the monsters attack soldiers or end up as cannon fodder themselves. There are some superb moments during these gore set pieces, with some imaginative kills on display. The final act is thrilling and amps up the zany nature of an unusual tale.” James Simpson, Infernal Cinema

“About half way through this I started to become a bit fatigued by the overly long and convoluted twists and turns of the movie, but I didn’t hate it. There’s some good gore gags with multiple heads being popped like over ripe tomatoes, heads being ripped off the neck by the monsters and some digital effects that while they weren’t fantastic were entertaining…” Ken Kastenhuber, McBastard’s Mausoleum

“Ryan Bellgardt’s amateurism shows through particularly in some of the early mundane scenes where people’s overreactions to normal things… The low-budget stretches fairly well, although the film disappointingly opts for digital gore scenes.” Richard Scheib, Moria

“The effects are okay, with the practical effects being superior to the CG efforts. Some of the gore is fun and well done. It’s clear that some care was taken while making this movie. But the story is too feckless, unrealistic and random to ever build any tension or create any drama. It’s also not terribly funny, which for a horror comedy is a death knell.” Jeremy Blitz, DVD Talk

“As the film becomes more epic in scope we lose the sense of storytelling and it turns into a genre mashup that the effects, cast and direction can’t quite cope with. From pantomime style acting and almost joke-like false moustaches, the film does stumble and you feel it almost immediately.” Craig Huntley, UK Horror Scene

Buy: Amazon.co.uk

Cast and characters:

• Jordan Farris as Alan Jones
• Christian Bellgardt as Igor
• Rett Terrell as Solomon Jones
• John Ferguson as Dr. Tanner Finksi
• Raychelle McDonald as Virginia
• Eric Gesecus as Frankenstein’s monster
• Gary Olinghouse as Eugene

Wikipedia | IMDb

‘We prey for you’

13 Eerie is a 2013 Canadian horror film directed by Lowell Dean (WolfCop; Another WolfCop), making his feature film debut, from a screenplay by Christian Piers Betley (Hex). Don Carmody (Hidden 3D; Silent Hill; Skinwalkers; et al) co-produced. It stars Katharine Isabelle, Michael Shanks and Brendan Fehr.

Six forensic undergrads, Megan (Katharine Isabelle), Daniel (Brendan Fehr), Josh (Brendan Fletcher), Patrick (Jesse Moss), Kate (Kristie Patterson) and Rob (Michael Eisner), are assigned to complete a scientific field exam on a deserted island known as Eerie Strait, where life-term prisoners were once held and corpses lay dead.

Professor Tomkins (Michael Shanks) dispatches them into pairs to examine corpses in different areas as part of staged murders. Shortly, Larry (Nick Moran), an ex-con who transported the group, warns partners, Megan and Kate, about finding the unexpected corpse of a skinhead female. Rob spots the zombie in the woods and tries to warn his partner, Daniel, who dismisses it…

Reviews:

” …13 Eerie manages to be entertaining and even fun. The ending seems a little extended, but the climax is action packed. The actors each deliver something unique. And, the setting of a body farm is an interesting place for a horror film to take place. Zombie indie film fans will especially like this outing, despite the predictability.” Michael Allen, 28 Days Later Analysis

Buy: Amazon.co.uk

” …has a lot going for it in the beginning and while it does fall back into a pretty standard zombie film it’s still entertaining. It certainly delivers the goods and it isn’t boring. It’s just disappointing considering where it might have gone if the script had some balls to it and didn’t try to play it so safe. The acting and makeup effects make up for some but not all of what the script lacks. It’s still worth a watch though.” The Black Saint, HorrorNews.net

“An unusual setup isn’t enough to save 13 Eerie from falling into the pit of clichés created by its zombie and slasher forefathers. Once you get past the idea of watching something truly novel and settle in for another helping of the usual, you’ll find a competently staged and acted production.” Rohit Rao, DVD Talk

“The movie delivers in the production value department despite its low budget, including an overturned and exploding prison bus for added measure. Unfortunately, the story gives up on adding any real depth to the eye candy and the interchangeable characters are just grist for the mill.  Those content with any excuse to see the dead eat the living in satisfyingly horrible ways can add 13 Eerie to their list.” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt

“Overall, the direction and special effects truly sell the film, with an entertaining venture into the zombie sub-genre, and bring a touch of Toxie to the storyline with a reference to chemical spills and the cruelty to prisoners, with the experimentation of drugs, and other biological means disregarding them. The ending of the film, really sets a clear tone of both fun for the viewer, and the tension measuring at an equal rate…” Baron Craze, Rogue Cinema

” …what we have here is a cool little cross between Jeepers Creepers and the foreign film Mutants. Even with the film’s story issues it’s 80 minutes of good solid undead ass kicking. Great practical effects and a technically well made product make this a horror film definitely worth checking out!” Adam the Movie God

Buy DVD: Amazon.com

” …this one looks good, it is competently acted and directed, has very good special effects, but has nothing in the way of a story or interesting characters […] The rotting zombies at times feel like a Fulci throwback. A competent movie, but it doesn’t make much of an impact.” The Worldwide Celluloid Massacre

Choice dialogue:

Larry: “This place… is one stop from Hell!”

Cast and characters:

• Katharine Isabelle as Megan (The Girl in the Photographs; Torment; American Mary; et al)
• Michael Shanks as Tomkins (Red Riding Hood; Mega Snake; Swarmed)
• Brendan Fehr as Daniel (Silent Night; The Forsaken; Final Destination; Disturbing Behavior)
• Brendan Fletcher as Josh
• Nick Moran as Larry Jefferson
• Jesse Moss as Patrick
• Kristie Patterson as Kate
• Michael Eisner as Rob
• Lyndon Bray as Captain Veneziano
• Ryland Alexander as Tattoo Zombie
• Shannon Jardine as Skinhead Nazi Zombie
• Jason Truong as Thug Zombie

Box office:

The film took an impressive $21,234,567 against a reported budget of $3 million.

Wikipedia | IMDb

Poseidon Rex is a 2013 American sci-fi horror film directed by Mark L. Lester (Pterodactyl; Class of 1984; Firestarter) from a screenplay by Rafael Jordan (Cowboys vs Dinosaurs; Yeti: Curse of the Snow Demon; Dragon Wasps; et al). It stars Brian Krause, Anne McDaniels and Steven Helmkamp.

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 DVD: Amazon.co.uk

Reviews:

“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

“If nothing else, it is better than the average B monster movie simply because it doesn’t look so cheap. The better budget has allowed the production crew to travel to Belize, which offers a sunny tourist locale and beautiful azure oceans. Moreover, it allows the crew to film underwater – even if the locations do nothing to approximate what is described as the dangerous and turbulent unexplored rift of The Blowhole. The film also has a decent level of digital creature effects.” Richard Scheib, Moria

“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

Buy DVD: Amazon.com

“Screenwriter Rafael Jordan and director Mark Lester unnecessarily embrangle the film with irrelevant subplots involving local thugs, treasure hunters and lost Mayan gold. The gangsters barge in on what is relatively the film’s best scene, in which Anne McDaniels’ buxom marine biologist cracks open a P-rex egg with her impeccably painted nails.” Martin Tsai, Los Angeles Times

“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

“There is a lot of Star Trek style shaking whenever a boat is attacked and plenty of over-animated pantomime by actors working with empty space later populated by a computer-generated dinosaur. Sometimes it is humorous. Sometimes it is laughable for different reasons. Either way, Poseidon Rex could have benefitted from a better balance for unifying everyone involved.” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt

Main cast:

Brian Krause (Be Afraid; Plan 9; Camel Spiders; et al), Anne McDaniels (Snake Outta Compton; The Dead Tales; Rock Paper Dead; ), Steven Helmkamp (Street Eyes; Dominion), Candice Nunes (Terrordactyl), Berne Velasquez, Gildon Roland, Pulu Lightburn, Remo, Phillip Coc, Serapio Chun, Paul Hyde, Joe Requena, Aaron Lauriano, Chase Kilburn, Trey Schesser.

IMDb

Don’t is a 2013 American short horror film directed and edited by Colton Puterbaugh. It stars Cody Reed and Derek Fox.

Related: Don’t Read This!!! – article

Hell No is a 2013 American comedy horror short film directed by Joe Nicolosi from a screenplay co-written with John Freiler and produced by Stephanie Noone. It stars Alex Dobrenko, Ashley Spillers and Jessie Tilton.

Imagine a realm where the most horrifying terrors of the underworld emerge to wreak bloody vengeance upon any who… hmm? What’s that? You wanna go literally anywhere else? Yeah, good idea let’s get out of here…

Reviews:

“Spoofing several classic horror movies and sub-genres, Hell No plays like a string of trailers with a witty voiceover and clever use of fake review quotes (“You will believe your eyes!”) […] It’s a funny idea, done very well.” Gore Blimey Blog

IMDb

Please feel free to comment about Hell No below…

‘I pray the Lord my soul to take’

Entity – aka The Darkening – is a 2013 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Michael Yurinko (Impuratus). It stars Holt Boggs, Nick Mancuso and Brandon Slagle.

A man deals with the personal tragedy of his family’s death by living at the vacation cabin that they last stayed at. He soon discovers he’s not alone…

Buy: Amazon.co.uk

Main cast:

Holt Boggs (Impuratus; From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series; Bigfoot Wars), Nick Mancuso (Bloody Blacksmith; Rise of the Gargoyles; Nightwing; et al), Brandon Slagle (Daylight’s End; Dead Sea; House of Manson) Fred Doss, Emma Waldron, Natalie Wilemon, Jena Waldron.

Filming locations:

Bangor, Hawley, Honesdale, Lake Ariel and Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA
Los Angeles, California, USA

IMDb | Facebook

‘Home is where the hate is’

Darkroom – aka Dark House – is a 2013 American horror thriller film produced and directed by Britt Napier from a screenplay by Michaelbrent Collings (Barricade). It stars Elisabeth Röhm, Kaylee DeFer and Geneva Carr.

Michelle takes a job recommended by her counselor that lands her trapped in a mansion with three psychotic siblings hell bent on purging Michelle of her sins…

Buy DVD: Amazon.co.uk

Reviews:

“Each of the performances were convincing enough, with DeFer and Röhm easily my favorites. I also liked the pacing in Darkroom, and was never left wanting for any action or something to happen. With very little investment on the part of the viewer, entertainment is assured with solid acting; interesting story; enough bloodshed and drilling to keep most horror fans happy.” Nav Qateel, Influx magazine

“So this movie perhaps may sound like a pretty decent, run of the mill, torture p*rn flick. And yes, you can say that 70% of this movie is torture p*rn, only problem however is that the movie hardly showing you anything. What’s the point of doing a movie like this if you’re not going to show anything?” Frank Veenstra, Boba_Fett1138

“The performances are competent, the writing is (mostly) solid, and it’s original, as horror movies go. Despite torture being a major plot point, the gore is fairly light and easy to stomach. The film is short (only an hour and eleven minutes before credits), but it doesn’t feel undeveloped.” Lois Kennedy, Addicted to Horror Movies

Buy DVD: Amazon.com

“Darkroom has a promising setup that degrades into disappointment with an “oh come on” implausibility. The back half of the screenplay needed to keep rolling with initial ideas about having something meaningful to say and a creative way to say it. Instead, Darkroom settles for a level of mediocrity that dooms it to be an unfortunate piece of flotsam floating in an already crowded sea.” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt

“Fans of thrillers and smaller horror features are encouraged to seek out a copy of this film, which uses mystery to draw you in and solid conflict to keep you enthralled. Twisted and tense, Darkroom will excite most fans of the genre. And, that excitement runs through much of the film.” Michael Allen, 28 Days Later Analysis

” …the execution (no pun intended) is just painful to watch. There was so many better ways to do this film instead of setting it up like Hostel and torturing them each in a dark room is just cliche. If they had done something like bring them to a mental breakdown from forcing them to see their horrible deeds then it would have been so much better.” Canticle Cinema House Movie Review

Main cast:

Elisabeth Röhm (Lake Placid: The Final Chapter; Ghost Image), Kaylee DeFer (Bones; Ghost Whisperer), Geneva Carr (Ava’s Possessions), Heléne Yorke, Christian Campbell, Natalie Knepp, Britne Oldford, Bess Rous, Tobias Segal, Steve Stanulis, Bonnie Bentley, Michael Sirow, Kristina Hess, Emily Fleischer, Natalie Wetta

IMDb

‘Be careful what you dig for’

Living Dark is a 2013 American horror film directed by David Hunt from a screenplay co-written with Kevin Brown. It stars Chris Cleveland, Matthew Alan and Mark Hayter.

Two brothers, reunited for their father’s funeral, stumble upon the entrance to a nearby cave, where they are slowly forced to confront the true, nightmarish nature of what caused of their father’s death.

Inside the hidden cavern, the brothers discover a fist-sized hole leading to an unexplored virgin passage. Ted and Brade descend into obsession, returning day after day in a relentless effort to widen the opening and gain access to the terrifying unknown passage beyond…

The film was shown at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2013 and Festival de Cine de Terror in Spain on 6 November 2014.

In the UK, Living Dark is released on DVD by Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment on 11 September 2017.

Buy: Amazon.co.uk

Filming locations:

Arkansas, USA

IMDb

The Frankenstein Theory is a 2013 American found footage science fiction horror film directed by Andrew Weiner from a screenplay co-written with Vlady Pildysh (Heartstopper). It stars Kris Lemche, Joe Egender, Timothy V. Murphy, and Eric Zuckerman.

Professor Jonathan Venkenheim (Kris Lemche) reveals that Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a fictionalized account of his ancestor Johann’s scientific and medical accomplishments.

Venkenheim’s girlfriend Anne (Christine Lakin) reveals that he’s been suspended and scoffs at his theory. Venkenheim next discusses how the Illuminati were trying to discover the secret of life when Johann secretly founded genetics. However, because Johann destroyed his notes, Venkenheim has no proof.

Venkenheim and the film crew leave for Canada, stopping along the way to meet Clarence (Joe Egender), who survived an encounter with the monster. Along the way, Venkenheim reveals the monster is an experiment in longevity and argues that the monster can unlock many scientific mysteries. Eric (Eric Zuckerman), the producer, shoots footage of a mysterious figure, while Venkenheim claims to feel the monster’s presence…

Buy on Instant Video | Blu-ray | DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Reviews:

‘ …it’s a joyride that exceeds its expectations. It’s easily in the forefront of straight-to-dvd found footage films, maybe even topping it. With a solid cast, exceptionally talented script, and an exciting background, The Frankenstein Theory is a well needed surprise in a genre full of one note scares.’ Ryan Larson, Shock Till You Drop

“Ten years ago it would have been awesome, but today it’s just lame unfortunately. Oh, and the formulaic pinnacle shot/reveal of the “monster” attacking/sieging/snatching or what ever climax, is certainly an anticlimax. Which ironically is the only time the movie ventures off formula conventions…” Jason Meredith, Cinezilla

‘Uneventful discussions. Tension-less moments of panic and searching for missing people. No appearance by the monster until the waning moments. The final shot all but given away in the film’s trailer. A movie so devoid of horror that the only real scare attempt for the first 45-minutes…’ Scott Foy, Dread Central

“Fourteen years after Blair Witch, has the whole found-footage-horror genre jumped the shark? Maybe. Weiner, however, manipulates its well-worn tropes deftly. The fumbling for the light in the dark; the eerie, green, night-vision glow; the shaky camera; the hyperventilating victim as something sniffs around outside; Frankenstein gets as much mileage out this shtick as it possibly can.” Michael O’Sullivan

“The Frankenstein Theory doesn’t do enough to separate itself from the pack of found footage movies cluttering up local Best Buy shelves. While it’s hardly a resounding failure, it features too little horror and too much dialogue.” Patrick Nagle, DVD Verdict

Wikipedia | IMDb

WH

‘Unfriended 2’ has been filmed secretly

As part of a growing trend (Victor Crowley, Blair Witch), it is being reported that Unfriended 2 has been filmed on the quiet and is now subject to audience test screenings. If these prove favourable, a release date in 2018 should be announced soon.

‘It Came from the Video Aisle!’ – new book about Full Moon Entertainment

A new 480 page book by David Jay, William Wilson and Dewi Torsten charts the rise and fall of Charles Band’s Full Moon Entertainment production company. Schiffer Publishing’s It Came from the Video Aisle! will be available from October 28, 2017.

Buy Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

“Charles Band’s Full Moon Entertainment was the most remarkable B-movie studio of the 1990s, responsible for a barrage of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror classics during the last true “golden age” of the home video era.

From Puppetmaster to Trancers and beyond, Full Moon transformed the VHS experience for fans worldwide, bringing the inner workings of the movie-making process into the living room, and in turn creating a ravenous fanbase that remains to this day.

This book tracks the history of the company, from its late ’80s birth among the ruins of the American drive-in through to its bid to survive in the modern digital world.

Featuring rare artwork, behind-the-scenes photos, and over 60 exclusive interviews with the cast and crew who helped to create the legendary B-movie studio, this is an essential read for any cult film fan still lamenting the death of the “mom ‘n’ pop” video store.”

‘Bride of Frankenstein’ put on hold

Deadline has reported that Universal’s Bride of Frankenstein is now officially on hold. The original release date for the Bill Condon-directed Monsters Universe movie was Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2019.

The movie was in pre-production in London for a February 1 kick-off, but the crew have been laid off so that the script can be revised. Javier Bardem was in talks to play Frankestein’s monster with (apparently) Angelina Jolie as his bride.

‘Ash vs. Evil Dead’ Season 3 is coming in February 2018

Perhaps later than we’d hoped but it has been confirmed that Season 3 of Starz series Ash vs. Evil Dead will premiere on February 25, 2018.

“The third season finds Ash’s status in Elk Grove, Michigan has changed from murderous urban legend to humanity-saving hometown hero. When Kelly witnesses a televised massacre with Ruby’s fingerprints all over it, she returns with a new friend to warn Ash and Pablo that evil isn’t done with them yet. Blood is thicker than water in the battle of good vs Evil Dead!”

Michael Myers makes an appearance in ‘Stranger Things 2’

It’s 1984 and the citizens of Hawkins, Indiana are still reeling from the horrors of the Demogorgon and the secrets of Hawkins Lab. Will Byers has been rescued from the Upside Down but a bigger, sinister entity still threatens those who survived…

The series stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Millie Bobby Brown, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Cara Buono, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Dacre Montgomery, Sadie Sink, Sean Astin, and Paul Reiser.

Stranger Things 2 premieres on Netflix October 27th.

‘The Thing’ 1000-piece jigsaw

A 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle celebrating John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982) will be available soon from USAopolgy. The 19×27 piece puzzle features new artwork by Justin Erickson of Phantom City Creative.

New TV series ‘Dark’ debuts soon

“Dark, a family saga with a supernatural twist, is set in a German town in present day where the disappearance of two young children exposes the double lives and fractured relationships among four families. In ten, hour-long episodes, the story takes on a supernatural twist that ties back to the same town in 1986.”

New German supernatural series Dark  premieres on December 1st on Netflix.

IFC Midnight snaps up North American rights to ‘Ghost Stories’

Variety reports that IFC Midnight has signed up the North American rights to Ghost Stories, the British supernatural thriller based on the stage production of the same name. It stars Martin Freeman (Cargo; The World’s End; Shaun of the Dead).

Ghost Stories will have its world premiere on Thursday at the BFI London Film Festival. The film was co-written and directed by Jeremy Dyson (“The League of Gentleman”) and Andy Nyman. Lionsgate own the UK rights.

In the film, Nyman plays Professor Goodman, a psychologist and skeptic, who has his rationality tested when he stumbles across a long-lost file containing details of three terrifying hauntings. He then embarks on a mission to find rational explanations for the ghostly happenings… [read more]

Nightmares Film Festival line-up

The Nightmares Film Festival 2017 in Ohio aims to present “a world-class assembly of the scariest, tensest, and most bizarre films from across the globe.” The festival, which runs from October 19th to 22nd, will showcase such features as:

• Victor Crowley w/Adam Green
• Leatherface
• Capture, Kill, Release
• Bong of the Living Dead
• 3 Dead Trick or Treaters
• Ruin Me
• Unnuyayuk
• Found Footage 3D
• 2 Pigeons
• Midnighters
• She Was So Pretty 2: Be Good for Goodness Sake
• Scars of Xavier
• Rock, Paper, Dead
• Hostile
• Romeo’s Distress
• I’m Dreaming of a White Doomsday
• Flesh of the Void
• Torment
• Le Accelerator
• Samurai Rauni

Plus masses of shorts over the four day festival. The full schedule is on their website

“Dream girls can be a nightmare” in ‘The Babysitter’

Young Cole is madly in love with his babysitter Bee. She’s seemingly cool and awesome in all the ways Cole thinks he isn’t. One evening while Bee is babysitting, Cole witnesses the unthinkable. Now he must survive a night full of first kisses, first broken hearts, and first encounters with homicidal maniacs…

McG (Terminator: Salvation) directed The Babysitter from a script by Brian Duffield (Insurgent). Samara Weaving, Judah Lewis, Hana Mae Lee, Robbie Amell, and Bella Thorne star.

The Babysitter comes to Netflix on October, Friday the 13th

‘A classic tale… horrifyingly real.’

Hansel & Gretel is a 2013 American horror film directed by Anthony C. Ferrante (Sharknado franchise; Headless Horseman; Boo) from a screenplay by Jose Prendes (Unspeakable Horrors: The Plan 9 Conspiracy; Hansel vs Gretel), based loosely on story by The Brothers Grimm. The Asylum production stars Dee Wallace, Brent Lydic and Stephanie Greco.

The film is a mockbuster of big budget release Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.

Teen siblings Hansel and Gretel Grimm are abducted by an elderly recluse named Lilith and witness the horrors of her home in the woods.

Lilith and her dim-witted sons are involved in a conspiracy to fatten up children before she eats them and the local population to serve in meat pies in her local shop “the Gingerbread House”…

Reviews:

” …for the most part, this is Hostel meets Grimm’s fairy tales. Dee Wallace is actually quite good as Lilith, shouting frantically and eating up the scenery as the evil witch abductor. But then again, things get yawny when the film resorts to women in chains and guys who are having a bit too much fun torturing them.” Ambush Bug, Ain’t It Cool News

“Of particular note is a weirdo sequence where each character
suffers a kind of hallucinatory purgatory. It’s fun, imaginative and even a bit shocking. Unfortunately, this chunk only serves to highlight the blandness of everything else around it.” Fangoria

” …for a direct-to-video splotch of mindless horror escapism in 90 minutes or less, H&G did the trick. It’s still technically a bad movie, but leagues above the label’s usual level of dreck. Ferrante seems to care about delivering the best he can, rather than simply meeting a tight deadline.” Rod Lot, Oklahoma Gazette

Choice dialogue:

Sheriff Woody Meckes: We’ll find ’em. Easy as pie…”

Main cast:

• Dee Wallace … Lilith – Ouija House; Red Christmas; Cujo; The Howling; et al
• Brent Lydic … Hansel Grimm – Fortune Cookie; Hansel vs Gretel; Flu Bird Horror; Headless Horseman
• Stephanie Greco … Gretel Grimm – Chemical Peel; The Haunting of Whaley House
• Steve Hanks … Brandon Grimm
• Sara Fletcher … Jane
• Clark Perry … Kevin
• M. Steven Felty … Sheriff Woody Meckes
• Adrian Bustamante … Deputy Gerry Carter
• Jasper Cole … John

Wikipedia | IMDb

Plot keywords:

animal trap | barbed wire | cabin | cannibalism | captivity | despair | drugged | family conflict | fairy tale | full moon | furnace | hope | meal | meat pies | police | screaming | shackles | siblings | torture | video game | vomiting | witches | woods

‘The world’s greatest warrior is back from the dead.’

Attila is a 2013 American action horror film directed by Emmanuel Itier (Scarecrow [2002]) from a screenplay co-written with Anthony C. Ferrante (director of Sharknado franchise; Hansel & Gretel; Boo). It stars Cheick Kongo, Chris Conrad and Mikayla S. Campbell.

When American soldiers inadvertently steal Attila the Hun’s secret to power, the staff of Moses, the wrath of the barbarian is awakened; the mummified warrior will stop at nothing to kill the intruders…

Reviews:

“Itier is OK for these films that 14-year-old boys get all excited over, but I just don’t see many others taking them seriously in this type of fare. I know there’s a substantial market for this type of film and that’s cool; a film’s a film and all that. I just wish they could set a higher standard as they have it all there if they bothered.” Ed Blackadder, Influx magazine

“A few minutes of halfway interesting exposition yields a dull, meandering story with precious little critical insight, thematic relevance, character depth, or importance of any sort. It’s little more than an excuse to photograph actors playing army and selling that footage by invoking the name of Attila the Hun…” Martin Liebman, Blu-ray.com

“When I say it starts out stupid, I mean it.  The open credits start with Attila and the gang punching people amidst bone crunching sound effects and CGI blood splatter on the screen turning into titles, but I swear there were times Attila would swing and miss, but we would still get bone crunching sound effects and CGI blood splatter, and it would only get worse from there.” Christopher Armstead, Film Critics United [full review recommended]

“The fact that this movie features Attila the Hun as its main villain/monster really isn’t all that relevant. He could have been any other random zombie/mummy like creature and it wouldn’t have changed much about the story. The character never talks and has no personality. It’s just a guy behind a mask who’s fighting and running around and is doing nothing else.” Frank Veenstra, Boba_Fett1138

“The film feels like it was thrown together over a weekend, and none of the deaths are ever that convincing so even as a horror flick, this movie is terrible. We’re supposed to believe this military base has a basic chain-link fence surrounding it, and the best they can muster up is a late model Jeep and four guys to chase the creature down with?” Ashe Collins, The Cinefessions

IMDb

‘Tonight, at sundown… the dead will live.’

Zombie Night is a 2013 American horror film directed by John Gulager (Children of the Corn: Runaway; Piranha 3DD; Feast) from a screenplay by Keith Allan and Delondra Williams, based on a story by Richard Schenkman. The Asylum production stars Anthony Michael Hall, Daryl Hannah, Jennifer Taylor, Alan Ruck, and Shirley Jones.

The film’s distinctive score is by frequent John Carpenter collaborator Alan Howarth (Halloween II; et al). 

Zombies appear at night and two families must survive until morning. There are neighbourly conflicts…

Reviews:

“The ridiculous script would make a night in with friends a blast, and some great gore effects elevate this beyond pure B schlock. It’s not going to make the top of a favourite list, but this is a bloody head and shoulders above most of the zombie films out there.” The Film Reel

” …highlights the problem of placing all one’s focus into gore and the dead without giving the audience any reason to care about those upon whom they are feasting. Heck, even the background actors playing the zombies look like they’d rather be ambling elsewhere.” Brian Lowry, Variety

” …it wields a decent cast of veteran actors […] and the make-up is practical rather than all CGI. And the plot is as basic as rice and peas: the undead rise one night, people die, society collapses, survivors bicker, die and/or survive. How the hell do you screw that up?” Anything Horror

“While I appreciate a movie that jumps right into the action, just a tad bit of exposition never hurt anybody. I mean we get nothing in regards to this movie. No back story, front story, middle story, character development, humor, plot progression… nothing.” Christopher Armstead, Film Critics United

“The characters in this film are underdeveloped. The story does not offer much in the way of plot, so there is, unsurprisingly, very little time spent on characters. They all seem interchangeable and forgettable. Characters are not given any backstory, nor complexity. They all seem to just occupy space and scream at the correct moments.” Michael Allen, 28 Days Later Analysis

“The structure keeps the action flowing, and director John Gulager makes the most of it with a restless camera, pounding score and close-up, messy, traumatizing zombie-killing, done more with blunt instruments than with guns.” Andrew Dowler, Now

“The cast is an 80s dream with Anthony Michael Hall, Daryl Hannah, Alan Ruck, and Shirley Jones – Wait a minute! Shirley Jones, what are you doing here? Oh, you’re trying to break the world’s record for overacting? Good luck! Some of the zombie makeup is pretty good and some is really bad.” Doomed Moviethon

Main cast and characters:

• Anthony Michael Hall … Patrick
• Daryl Hannah … Birdy
• Jennifer Taylor … Karin
• Alan Ruck … Joseph
• Rachel G. Fox … Tracie Jackson
• Shirley Jones … Nana
• Tia Robinson … Janice
• Daniel Ross Owens … Perry
• Zoe Canner … Irina
• Daniel Moorehead … Dizzy
• Rogelio T. Ramos … Officer Lopez

Wikipedia | IMDb

‘America’s most famous haunting has returned’

The Bell Witch Haunting is a 2013 American found footage supernatural horror film directed [uncredited] by Glenn Miller (Zoombies; Santa Claws; The Coed and the Zombie Stoner). It stars Marissa Lynne Johnson, Laura Alexandra Ramos, and Cat Alter.

The Robertson County Sheriff’s Department has released footage found on the bodies of the Sawyer family’s cell phones and video cameras.

What was first thought to be a murder-suicide is now believed to be the return of a centuries-old demon responsible for America’s most famous paranormal event…

Reviews:

“It stays mostly true to the particulars of the legend, but disregards respect for the audience with an over-reliance on convention and a lackadaisical approach to detail. Formulaic in every way…” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt

” …a pretty good found footage flick and I definitely liked it better than most of the other average genre attempts but all throughout and toward the end in particular, the movie starts making some bad choices with its story and storytelling, which turns this movie into an ultimately just OK one.” Frank Veenstra, Boba Fett1138

“One of the more interesting images is an infrared shot where a sheet is levitated from two sleeping girls and then brought down, pinning them to the bed and suffocating them. The film also gets one mild jolt off where James Simenc goes into the woods to pay tribute to his killed friend…” Richard Scheib, Moria

” …The Bell Witch Haunting is a mess of a movie, ripping off, unsuccessfully, scenes from Paranormal Activity and Blair Witch. If anything, it does prove that you still need talent behind and in front of the camera to make a satisfying found footage movie experience.” Eric S., Daily Dose of Horror

” …the chicks will get naked, there will be some squiggly lines on the cell phone and video camera footage, some cheap “apparitions” will appear, and everybody will die.” Ryan C., Trash Film Guru

Trivia:

Not to be confused with the 2004 film of the same name.

IMDb

‘Spirits never forget’

Killer Toon – original titles: 더 웹툰: 예고살인; Deo Web-tun: Yeo-go-sal-in – is a 2013 South Korean supernatural horror film directed by Kim Yong-gyun from a screenplay by co-producer Lee Sang-hak. It stars Lee Si-young, Um Ki-joon and Hyun Woo.

After a series of murders are committed that mimic a famous webtoon, detective Lee Ki-cheol (Um Ki-joon) places the cartoonist Kang Ji-yoon (Lee Si-young) on the list of suspects…

The film was the first South Korean horror film to sell more than one million cinema tickets since Death Bell in 2008.

Reviews:

” …the webcomic gimmick and some slick editing pull it altogether succinctly. The backstory reveals switch our sympathy from the protagonist to the antagonist, the scares are only made more potent. This technique is hardly revolutionary, but it’s very well handled here.” Pierce Conran, Screen Anarchy

” …it did a wonderful job of integrating cartoons into the visual texture of a live-action film, and the plot was twisty in the way a lot of spooky films end up having to be these days. Pretty good, though, for a big-budget creepfest, really.” Gordsellar

“Overall, Killer Toon starts off with a fantastic first half, then fumbles to a decent second half. The first half of the film was so fun and refreshing, it’s disappointing to see the film stumble the way it did. However, despite a handful of flaws with the story, the second half is still serviceable and offers some entertainment and redeeming qualities.” Jonathan S., Korean Movie Reviews

” …the storytelling is a bit slacking at parts but the story itself is actually a pretty good one. It mainly works out because of its originality and creativity, which ensures that this movie never becomes a too predictable one to watch, despite of some formulaic genre ingredients.” Frank Veenstra, Boba_Fett1138

Main cast and characters:

• Lee Si-young as Kang Ji-yoon
• Um Ki-joon as Lee Ki-cheol
• Hyun Woo as Kim Young-soo
• Moon Ga-young as Jo Seo-hyun
• Kwon Hae-hyo as Jo Seon-gi
• Kim Do-young as Seo Mi-sook
• Kim Hae-eun as Detective Yeo
• Kim So-yeon as Mi-jin
• Oh Yoon-hong as Seon-gi’s wife
• Lee Do-yeob as coroner

Wikipedia | IMDb

‘The family that severs parts, never parts!’

Junk Bonds: The Return of Junkbucket is a 2013 comedy slasher horror film written and directed by Stephen Lange. It is a sequels to Lange’s Junkbucket (2008). The movie stars Mike Christensen, Sara Coates (Z Nation), and Graham Downing.

Junkbucket has found himself a family of phallic cannibals to join him in his quest to castrate most of Western Washington…

Reviews:

“Sure, some of the humour is of the gross out kind, and watching men being castrated or their dicks toasted might not be everybody’s idea of a good time, but despite all the gross-out-ness, the film never forgets to tell its story in a stringent way, works as a thriller as well as a comedy, and it gets us to feel for the characters…” Mike Haberfelner, Search My Trash

“Overall, Junk Bonds: The Return of Junkbucket is a campy slasher flick that is full of tits, gore, and peckers. Lots and lots of peckers. If you like your slashers on the funny side then check this one out. It will not disappoint.” Blacktooth, Horror Society

Buy Blu-ray (includes original Junkbucket): Amazon.com

“It tapped into the dirty nature of movies like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and did it in a way that felt original yet derivative at the same time.  The derivative story didn’t take away from the movie, however, because it was a well done love letter to its inspirations.” HorrorNews.net

“Junk Bonds: The Return of Junkbucket is a much improved effort from the first film and so it should be. Stephen uses the increased budget wisely, focusing on the important things when you’re making a low-budget indie film and that’s what I like to see. It’s pretty damn disgusting but funny…” Adam the Movie God

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