Ravenous Monster

The city can be a panicking and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Trio:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

The stories range from violent and modern as in “The Dogs” by Scott Smith and “What I`ve Always Done” by Amber Benson to dark and twisted fantasy like “The Sanctuary” by Kealan Patrick Burke and “The Maw” by Nathan Ballingrud. There’s even neo noir with a supernatural twist as in “We`ll Always Have Paris” by M. R. Carey. These stories are like various people all living together in the same sprawling metropolis, whether it be in a fresh steel and glass high-rise or a turn-of-the-century brick walk-up.

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be thirsty. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Some stories work well as a self-contained tales and other stories feel like a mere peek into another world. A few of the stories left me wanting more where I felt as if it could be a chapter in a larger book.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multiplicity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

It’s true. The longer you live, the more you see how culture waxes and wanes like the switching of the tides. One decade’s movie starlet becomes the next decade’s has-been. At one time Rudolph Valentino was the most famous man on the planet. Now, few under fifty will know who he is.

So it is in the literary world as well. The popularity of authors rises and recedes. In this cobwebby corner of reality, we deal with those creators who are obsessed with horror and the darker side of existence. Today, I’m going to poke around in some forgotten corners of horror and attempt to bring light to those who time seems to have passed by.

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a gigantic number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Weird Tales was the king of the horror pulps and spawned a reputation which persists now. It launched the careers of H.P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Robert E. Howard and many more. But it was Seabury Quinn who was the king of Weird Tales. His name was on more covers than anybody else, and by a broad margin. When the public at large picked up a copy of the magazine, chances were they did so to read one of Quinn’s twisted tales.

And of all Quinn’s creations, none were more popular than his hyperactive French detective Jules de Grandin, the Hercule Poirot of supernatural sleuthery. De Grandin very first appeared in the one thousand nine hundred twenty five story “The Horror on the Links” and closed his final case in one thousand nine hundred fifty one with “The Ring of Bastet”. All told, he starred in a staggering ninety three separate stories during that period, making him by far the most popular character to come out of Weird Tales. Yes, that includes Conan the Barbarian and any of the other protagonists created by Robert E. Howard.

But over the years, de Grandin…and Quinn…gradually disappeared from view. Quinn died in one thousand nine hundred sixty nine after one of the most prodigiously productive careers in weird fiction. Occasional collections of the de Grandin tales such as “The Phantom Fighter” and the “Collected Editions” appeared to keep the flame alive but whether it was due to switching taste or other factors, Quinn had become eclipsed by the works of Lovecraft, Howard and Smith.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quaking forearms. It’s fairly a remarkable looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin was a brilliant detective who was a member of the French Surete and a graduate of the Sorbonne Academy. Quinn describes him as a blond-haired Frenchman with a pointed mustache that would “twitch like the whiskers of an excited tomcat” when he was hot on the trail of an evildoer. He also had an icy blue-eyed stare that he trained on those who sexually aroused his ire.

Seabury Quinn was a product of his time and his writing was certainly not what one would call politically correct. Characters were often a collection of ethnic clichés, including de Grandin himself. He was so over-the-top French that he made Pepe le Pew seem like a Brooklyn cabbie. His dialogue was bursting with colorful French epithets and he often referred to himself in the third person: “Morbleu, this demon, he shall not get the best of Jules de Grandin!” As you read Quinn’s collected tales, the speech pattern is at very first amusing, then becomes wearisome and ultimately an accepted and familiar quirk.

De Grandin was not the very first detective specializing in solving supernatural cases…Algernon Blackwood’s John Muffle and William Hope Hodgson’s Thomas Carnacki preceded him…but he was certainly the most active. A resemblance to Agatha Christie’s immortal Hercule Poirot is unavoidable, but where Poirot battled cunning human killers, de Grandin would find himself up against ghosts, demons and werewolves.

His treatment to these weird cases was unique. He would use the logic and science-based training of a master detective very first and resort to supernatural measures only as a last resort. De Grandin would very first fire a pistol at his enemy before throwing holy water or chanting a protective spell. His keen mind very first attempted to find a rational explanation of events, but his acceptance of the supernatural was absolute. He had a limitless skill of occult practices from around the world. In the story “The Poltergeist,” he uses hypnotism and dances around with mistletoe in an attempt to exorcise an evil spirit from a girl’s bod.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the activity takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character via and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk rhythm and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

De Grandin himself could be rude, condescending or ice cold, but he was bristling with energy, He was also exceptionally fearless and threw himself into dangerous situations with hardly a rearwards glance. In “The Curse of Everard Maundy,” he engages in combat with a zombie wielding an axe, brandishing only his sword cane. Most of the time, the little Frenchman was quick to very first use a revolver against his foes before resorting to spells and incantations. You got the impression that he investigated supernatural dangers chiefly as a way to dispose of excess energy.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp venture than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied mitt, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. From time to time, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Excellent God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor possessing it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is memorable horror!

These occasional scenes of fine violence and perversion expose Seabury Quinn as having a pretty demented mind when he wished to. In fact, one wonders how de Grandin and Trowbridge can even sleep at night, much less stay out of a sanitarium, with all the wonders and horrors they have witnessed!

Quinn also displayed a more sensitive side in the story “Restless Souls” – a moving tale of love that lasts beyond the grave. Considering that “Horror On The Links” is just the very first of five volumes, one wonders how many other weird terrors the fearless Frenchman encounters!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but at times it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty evident that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a giant gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

I guess I should embark this off by telling that I’ve never been a fan of Christmas, but I do love a Christmas horror film, my beloved being 1984’s Silent Night, Deadly Night. So, when Crimson Christmas was brought to my attention, it automatically piqued my curiosity. Not only is it a holiday slasher flick, but it also features the lovely Dee Wallace, who also serves as one of this film’s producers. So, is Craig Anderson’s Crimson Christmas the next ho-ho-holiday horror classic, or is it just ho-ho-horrible? Read on and find out.

Crimson Christmas is the holiday tale of a mother fighting to protect her very dysfunctional family from an odd, black-robed figure who has serious mommy issues. And, once he’s essentially welcomed into the home for the holidays, what could possibly go wrong? After all, the soft-spoken, homicidal maniac just wants to read a heartfelt letter to his long-lost mother for Christmas. C’mon, it’s lovely weather for a “slay”-ride together, yeah? Now, gather ‘round and let me tell you what’s insatiable and what’s nice about Crimson Christmas.

As I said earlier, the “nice” list about Crimson Christmas embarks very first and foremost with the casting of Dee Wallace. She’s just a pleasure to see in just about anything. In Crimson Christmas, she plays a doting, loving mother/mother-in-law of a bunch of colorful characters. There’s a pot-smoking, booze-shooting pregnant daughter, and a pervy, voyeuristic man of the cloth, just to name a duo. As is always the case, at least in the movie world, there are all kinds of tense relations amongst the family, especially during the holidays. Secrets and resentment play a big part in the overall story, but there’s enough dark humor thrown in to lighten the mood. Of course, there must be a ton of bad decisions made by everyone in the film, so it’s up to the badass mama to save the day.

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasurable. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get mischievous.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few strong political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and scream is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in powerful rotation with me once the holiday season starts. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Eyed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used rapid and powerful during this production, it’s still an entertaining glance to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too gravely, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the visible and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Eyed series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Eyed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there indeed wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Spotted spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

When George A. Romero passed away back in July, we horror fans not only lost a monumental genre figure – one who’s arguably responsible for ushering in the modern horror film and who’s objectively the father of zombies – but indie filmmaking lost a true maverick and advocate, and pop culture lost a prolific, yet reluctant contributor.

In light of this immense void, Arrow Movie will make available Inbetween Night and Dawn, a limited edition, absolutely stacked box set of Romero films that haven’t yet received the royal treatment. Not only that, but it will be available just in time for Halloween.

For all the tastey details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, displaying that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

When George A. Romero passed away in July, the film world didn`t just lose its beloved ‘King of Zombies`, but also a groundbreaking and fearless innovator who inspired not only generations of genre directors, but also experimental and guerilla filmmakers for whom he laid down the template.

The three films collected in this box set ' two early Seventies ‘lost films` and a classic plague fright thriller ' display there`s more to the legendary director than simply gut-munching ghouls. The comedy romance There`s Always Vanilla, psychological thriller Season of the Witch, and infection horror The Crazies ' all filmed in and around Pittsburgh ' serve to display the broader thematic concerns and auteurist leanings of a skilled craftsman too often pigeonholed within the genre; that said, The Crazies is one of his strongest horror offerings, with memorable spectacles from Lynn Lowry and Richard Liberty.

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and demonstrating a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

This fantastic box set includes brand fresh restorations of the three films, a lavish 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on this fascinating chapter of Romero`s career, a wealth of extras including interviews, featurettes and behind the scenes documentaries, reversible sleeves for all three films featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork, and a beautifully designed and striking slipcase featuring an iconic picture of the man himself.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Oxford PhD candidate Ana leads a break however research project to generate and travel through a wormhole, but when something goes wrong she comes out the other side incapable to make fresh memories. Trapped in something of a space-time purgatory, she races against her crumbling sanity to find out what happened and how to escape the cosmic horror enveloping her life.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and team, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Chad Michael Murray (House of Paraffin wax, TV`s One Tree Hill) and Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III) will headline director Andy Palmer`s Camp Cold Brook with a script from up and comer Alex Carl, writer-director of Reeves Road.

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV team that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their showcase. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival starts like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

Courtney Gains (The Burbs, Children of the Corn), Michael Eric Reid (TV`s Victorious), Candice De Visser (The Funhouse Massacre), Mary Kathryn Bryant (Hellraiser: Judgement), Loren Lodesma (A.S.K), and Jason Van Eman (1 Mile to You) help make up the ensemble.

The Ice Juices Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Fluid Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It certainly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on demonstrating tons of blood and guts.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comes back to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her hubby and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and starts to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juice truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juices man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juices man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a fine amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery fellow (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery man, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery dude and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in movement. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Beginning at this point, The Ice Fluid Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juice man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face visible, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juices Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Eighteen!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; See the Trailer Here

Dark Cuts in conjunction with Blood Moon Pictures is continuing the resurgence of anthology horror films produced by indie companies and featuring up-and-coming genre filmmakers with their forthcoming feature Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories coming to DVD/Blu-ray August 1.

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

From hot genre label Dark Cuts comes a stirring volume of bloodcurdling horror from Blood Moon Pictures. In the tradition of cult classics Creepshow and V/H/S, comes Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories – a collection of bleedingly original horror from some of today’s most gifted genre filmmakers, including Justin Seaman (The Barn), Sean Blevins (A Brush with Death), and John Mayard (Almost Dead)!

Featuring the work of Sean Blevins, John William Holt, Jon Maynard, Nathan Thomas Milliner, Justin Seaman, and James Treakle with an ensemble cast including Cindy Maples, Moses Moseley, Theo Kostaridis, and Thomas Dunbar, Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories features seven original stories craftily assembled by producing team P.J. Starks, Eric Huskisson (The Confession of Fred Krueger), and Christopher Bower (The Dooms Chapel Horror).

A duo plans to purchase an old home, but would like one last tour before the closing. They’re guided around the estate by a creepy realtor that may have more in store than they bargained for. Searching floor by floor, they begin to detect the remnants of its sordid and horrifying past…

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are joyfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (witness the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

Adam Thatcher (played by Adam Hampton) is a disgruntled father of two, suffering in his marriage and fighting to connect with his teenage daughter. Things go from bad to worse for the family when he becomes the recipient of a strange bounty: A box he cannot open, fitted with a dial that counts down days.

The box must be given away to someone you love before the timer runs out, and the reaction why is soon discovered. Inwards the box is a creature, a sort of insectile monster with a taste for blood and carnage. If you don`t get rid of the box, the creature will systematically kill everyone that you care about; if you do get rid of the box, you only manage to pass the curse along to someone else you love.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily de-robe much of the suspense and strain from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as distress drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a elaborate, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The largest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m impatient to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright funk inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multiplicity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a giant number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shuddering forearms. It’s fairly a wonderful looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

De Grandin himself could be rude, condescending or ice cold, but he was bristling with energy, He was also amazingly fearless and threw himself into dangerous situations with hardly a rearwards glance. In “The Curse of Everard Maundy,” he engages in combat with a zombie wielding an axe, brandishing only his sword cane. Most of the time, the little Frenchman was quick to very first use a revolver against his foes before resorting to spells and incantations. You got the impression that he investigated supernatural dangers chiefly as a way to dispose of excess energy.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied palm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. At times, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Good God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is memorable horror!

These occasional scenes of excellent violence and perversion expose Seabury Quinn as having a pretty demented mind when he desired to. In fact, one wonders how de Grandin and Trowbridge can even sleep at night, much less stay out of a sanitarium, with all the wonders and horrors they have witnessed!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but from time to time it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty visible that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a massive gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

I guess I should embark this off by telling that I’ve never been a fan of Christmas, but I do love a Christmas horror film, my dearest being 1984’s Silent Night, Deadly Night. So, when Crimson Christmas was brought to my attention, it automatically piqued my curiosity. Not only is it a holiday slasher flick, but it also features the lovely Dee Wallace, who also serves as one of this film’s producers. So, is Craig Anderson’s Crimson Christmas the next ho-ho-holiday horror classic, or is it just ho-ho-horrible? Read on and find out.

As I said earlier, the “nice” list about Crimson Christmas starts very first and foremost with the casting of Dee Wallace. She’s just a pleasure to witness in just about anything. In Crimson Christmas, she plays a doting, loving mother/mother-in-law of a bunch of colorful characters. There’s a pot-smoking, booze-shooting pregnant daughter, and a pervy, voyeuristic man of the cloth, just to name a duo. As is always the case, at least in the movie world, there are all kinds of tense relations amongst the family, especially during the holidays. Secrets and resentment play a big part in the overall story, but there’s enough dark humor thrown in to lighten the mood. Of course, there must be a ton of bad decisions made by everyone in the film, so it’s up to the badass mama to save the day.

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get kinky.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few strong political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and shriek is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in strenuous rotation with me once the holiday season commences. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Spotted films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used rapid and strong during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too gravely, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the visible and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Witnessed series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Witnessed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Spotted spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the delicious details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and displaying a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

See the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his demonstrate, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their demonstrate. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juices Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice fluid man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice fluid man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a excellent amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery stud (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery man, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery boy and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in movability. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Embarking at this point, The Ice Juices Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juice man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face evident, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Fluid Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Fluid Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; See the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The box must be given away to someone you love before the timer runs out, and the response why is soon discovered. Inwards the box is a creature, a sort of insectile monster with a taste for blood and carnage. If you don`t get rid of the box, the creature will systematically kill everyone that you care about; if you do get rid of the box, you only manage to pass the curse along to someone else you love.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily de-robe much of the suspense and stress from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as distress drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

The fattest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m impatient to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a panicking and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a massive number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shivering mitts. It’s fairly a wonderful looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

Seabury Quinn was a product of his time and his writing was certainly not what one would call politically correct. Characters were often a collection of ethnic clichés, including de Grandin himself. He was so over-the-top French that he made Pepe le Pew seem like a Brooklyn cabbie. His dialogue was bursting with colorful French epithets and he often referred to himself in the third person: “Morbleu, this satan, he shall not get the best of Jules de Grandin!” As you read Quinn’s collected tales, the speech pattern is at very first amusing, then becomes wearisome and ultimately an accepted and familiar quirk.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied mitt, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Sometimes, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Fine God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

These occasional scenes of fine violence and perversion expose Seabury Quinn as having a pretty demented mind when he dreamed to. In fact, one wonders how de Grandin and Trowbridge can even sleep at night, much less stay out of a sanitarium, with all the wonders and horrors they have witnessed!

Quinn also showcased a more sensitive side in the story “Restless Souls” – a moving tale of love that lasts beyond the grave. Considering that “Horror On The Links” is just the very first of five volumes, one wonders how many other weird terrors the fearless Frenchman encounters!

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a enormous gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

I guess I should commence this off by telling that I’ve never been a fan of Christmas, but I do love a Christmas horror film, my beloved being 1984’s Silent Night, Deadly Night. So, when Crimson Christmas was brought to my attention, it automatically piqued my curiosity. Not only is it a holiday slasher flick, but it also features the lovely Dee Wallace, who also serves as one of this film’s producers. So, is Craig Anderson’s Crimson Christmas the next ho-ho-holiday horror classic, or is it just ho-ho-horrible? Read on and find out.

As I said earlier, the “nice” list about Crimson Christmas embarks very first and foremost with the casting of Dee Wallace. She’s just a pleasure to observe in just about anything. In Crimson Christmas, she plays a doting, loving mother/mother-in-law of a bunch of colorful characters. There’s a pot-smoking, booze-shooting pregnant daughter, and a pervy, voyeuristic man of the cloth, just to name a duo. As is always the case, at least in the movie world, there are all kinds of tense relations amongst the family, especially during the holidays. Secrets and resentment play a big part in the overall story, but there’s enough dark humor thrown in to lighten the mood. Of course, there must be a ton of bad decisions made by everyone in the film, so it’s up to the badass mama to save the day.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few mighty political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and wail is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in intense rotation with me once the holiday season embarks. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Spotted films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used rapid and intense during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that indeed doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Spotted series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Witnessed series, as well.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the succulent details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, demonstrating that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

The three films collected in this box set ' two early Seventies ‘lost films` and a classic plague funk thriller ' demonstrate there`s more to the legendary director than simply gut-munching ghouls. The comedy romance There`s Always Vanilla, psychological thriller Season of the Witch, and infection horror The Crazies ' all filmed in and around Pittsburgh ' serve to display the broader thematic concerns and auteurist leanings of a skilled craftsman too often pigeonholed within the genre; that said, The Crazies is one of his strongest horror offerings, with memorable spectacles from Lynn Lowry and Richard Liberty.

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and demonstrating a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Observe the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his demonstrate, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their display. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival embarks like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on demonstrating tons of blood and guts.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comebacks to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her hubby and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and commences to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice fluid man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a superb amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery dude (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery stud, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery stud and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in mobility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Juice Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face evident, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Fluid Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily undress much of the suspense and pressure from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her bf; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a complicated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The fattest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is professionally rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m anxious to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a panicking and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a large number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shivering palms. It’s fairly a spectacular looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp escapade than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied forearm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Sometimes, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Good God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

These occasional scenes of superb violence and perversion expose Seabury Quinn as having a pretty demented mind when he desired to. In fact, one wonders how de Grandin and Trowbridge can even sleep at night, much less stay out of a sanitarium, with all the wonders and horrors they have witnessed!

Quinn also demonstrated a more sensitive side in the story “Restless Souls” – a moving tale of love that lasts beyond the grave. Considering that “Horror On The Links” is just the very first of five volumes, one wonders how many other weird terrors the fearless Frenchman encounters!

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a fat gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few intense political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and scream is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in intense rotation with me once the holiday season starts. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to observe this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Spotted films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used rapid and intense during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too gravely, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that indeed doesn’t jive well with me is the demonstrable and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Spotted series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the tasty details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

The three films collected in this box set ' two early Seventies ‘lost films` and a classic plague scare thriller ' demonstrate there`s more to the legendary director than simply gut-munching ghouls. The comedy romance There`s Always Vanilla, psychological thriller Season of the Witch, and infection horror The Crazies ' all filmed in and around Pittsburgh ' serve to display the broader thematic concerns and auteurist leanings of a skilled craftsman too often pigeonholed within the genre; that said, The Crazies is one of his strongest horror offerings, with memorable spectacles from Lynn Lowry and Richard Liberty.

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Observe the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a rough spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their display. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juices isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juices man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a excellent amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery boy (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery man, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery boy and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in movement. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Fluid Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthful people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice fluid man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty fiercely, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juice man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Fluid Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are cheerfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily unwrap much of the suspense and pressure from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as distress drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a sophisticated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The largest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m anxious to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a panicking and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a hefty number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quaking arms. It’s fairly a wonderful looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp escapade than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied arm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. From time to time, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Good God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is memorable horror!

These occasional scenes of superb violence and perversion expose Seabury Quinn as having a pretty demented mind when he wished to. In fact, one wonders how de Grandin and Trowbridge can even sleep at night, much less stay out of a sanitarium, with all the wonders and horrors they have witnessed!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but at times it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty visible that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a meaty gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get crazy.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few powerful political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and scream is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in intense rotation with me once the holiday season commences. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used prompt and strong during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the demonstrable and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Eyed series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Eyed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there indeed wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the yummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a rough spot. His finances have crumbled and his demonstrate, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their showcase. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthfull campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Fluid Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juices Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on demonstrating tons of blood and guts.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comebacks to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and commences to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice fluid truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juices isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice fluid man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a fine amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery dude (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery dude, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice fluid man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juices Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Fluid Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; See the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are gladfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily undress much of the suspense and stress from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as distress drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a sophisticated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The fattest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is professionally rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m antsy to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a scaring and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Trio:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright scare inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a big number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shivering arms. It’s fairly a spectacular looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

Seabury Quinn was a product of his time and his writing was certainly not what one would call politically correct. Characters were often a collection of ethnic clichés, including de Grandin himself. He was so over-the-top French that he made Pepe le Pew seem like a Brooklyn cabbie. His dialogue was bursting with colorful French epithets and he often referred to himself in the third person: “Morbleu, this satan, he shall not get the best of Jules de Grandin!” As you read Quinn’s collected tales, the speech pattern is at very first amusing, then becomes wearisome and eventually an accepted and familiar quirk.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp escapade than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied palm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Sometimes, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Superb God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is never-to-be-forgotten horror!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but from time to time it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a massive gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

I guess I should commence this off by telling that I’ve never been a fan of Christmas, but I do love a Christmas horror film, my dearest being 1984’s Silent Night, Deadly Night. So, when Crimson Christmas was brought to my attention, it automatically piqued my curiosity. Not only is it a holiday slasher flick, but it also features the lovely Dee Wallace, who also serves as one of this film’s producers. So, is Craig Anderson’s Crimson Christmas the next ho-ho-holiday horror classic, or is it just ho-ho-horrible? Read on and find out.

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get insane.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few strenuous political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and yell is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used rapid and intense during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Spotted series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Witnessed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Witnessed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the jummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showcasing that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and demonstrating a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a rough spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their display. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival embarks like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Fluid Truck Movie Review

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on showcasing tons of blood and guts.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juice truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice fluid isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juices man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a superb amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery boy (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery fellow, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery boy and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in motility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Kicking off at this point, The Ice Fluid Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthful people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juice man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juice man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face evident, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juice Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Fluid Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; See the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are gladfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a sophisticated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The fattest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is professionally rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m antsy to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a ample number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quivering mitts. It’s fairly a spectacular looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp escapade than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied forearm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. At times, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Superb God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but at times it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty visible that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a ample gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few strenuous political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and bellow is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in strong rotation with me once the holiday season commences. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used rapid and mighty during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too gravely, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Spotted series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there indeed wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Witnessed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the jummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, demonstrating that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Oxford PhD candidate Ana leads a break tho’ research project to generate and travel through a wormhole, but when something goes wrong she comes out the other side incapable to make fresh memories. Trapped in something of a space-time purgatory, she races against her crumbling sanity to find out what happened and how to escape the cosmic horror enveloping her life.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their showcase. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthfull campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Fluid Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice fluid truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juices man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juices man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a excellent amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery man (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery stud, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery fellow and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in movability. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Embarking at this point, The Ice Juice Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthful people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty fiercely, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legitimate!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily de-robe much of the suspense and stress from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

The fattest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is professionally rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m antsy to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a panicking and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright funk inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a hefty number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shuddering forearms. It’s fairly a wonderful looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the activity takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied arm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Sometimes, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Excellent God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is memorable horror!

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a enormous gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As I said earlier, the “nice” list about Crimson Christmas embarks very first and foremost with the casting of Dee Wallace. She’s just a pleasure to witness in just about anything. In Crimson Christmas, she plays a doting, loving mother/mother-in-law of a bunch of colorful characters. There’s a pot-smoking, booze-shooting pregnant daughter, and a pervy, voyeuristic man of the cloth, just to name a duo. As is always the case, at least in the movie world, there are all kinds of tense relations amongst the family, especially during the holidays. Secrets and resentment play a big part in the overall story, but there’s enough dark humor thrown in to lighten the mood. Of course, there must be a ton of bad decisions made by everyone in the film, so it’s up to the badass mama to save the day.

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get nasty.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few powerful political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and yell is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in strong rotation with me once the holiday season starts. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used swift and intense during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too gravely, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the visible and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Witnessed series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Eyed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the yummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

The three films collected in this box set ' two early Seventies ‘lost films` and a classic plague funk thriller ' showcase there`s more to the legendary director than simply gut-munching ghouls. The comedy romance There`s Always Vanilla, psychological thriller Season of the Witch, and infection horror The Crazies ' all filmed in and around Pittsburgh ' serve to display the broader thematic concerns and auteurist leanings of a skilled craftsman too often pigeonholed within the genre; that said, The Crazies is one of his strongest horror offerings, with memorable spectacles from Lynn Lowry and Richard Liberty.

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and demonstrating a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

See the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their showcase. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival starts like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juices Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice fluid truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juices isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice fluid man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice fluid man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a fine amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery dude (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery dude, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery man and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and display her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in mobility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Beginning at this point, The Ice Juice Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juice man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty fiercely, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice fluid man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juices Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; See the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (observe the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a complicated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The fattest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m antsy to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a phat number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shuddering forearms. It’s fairly a beautiful looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

Seabury Quinn was a product of his time and his writing was certainly not what one would call politically correct. Characters were often a collection of ethnic clichés, including de Grandin himself. He was so over-the-top French that he made Pepe le Pew seem like a Brooklyn cabbie. His dialogue was bursting with colorful French epithets and he often referred to himself in the third person: “Morbleu, this satan, he shall not get the best of Jules de Grandin!” As you read Quinn’s collected tales, the speech pattern is at very first amusing, then becomes wearisome and ultimately an accepted and familiar quirk.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the activity takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied forearm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. From time to time, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Excellent God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is never-to-be-forgotten horror!

These occasional scenes of excellent violence and perversion expose Seabury Quinn as having a pretty demented mind when he dreamed to. In fact, one wonders how de Grandin and Trowbridge can even sleep at night, much less stay out of a sanitarium, with all the wonders and horrors they have witnessed!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but sometimes it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a gigantic gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

I guess I should begin this off by telling that I’ve never been a fan of Christmas, but I do love a Christmas horror film, my dearest being 1984’s Silent Night, Deadly Night. So, when Crimson Christmas was brought to my attention, it automatically piqued my curiosity. Not only is it a holiday slasher flick, but it also features the lovely Dee Wallace, who also serves as one of this film’s producers. So, is Craig Anderson’s Crimson Christmas the next ho-ho-holiday horror classic, or is it just ho-ho-horrible? Read on and find out.

As I said earlier, the “nice” list about Crimson Christmas commences very first and foremost with the casting of Dee Wallace. She’s just a pleasure to observe in just about anything. In Crimson Christmas, she plays a doting, loving mother/mother-in-law of a bunch of colorful characters. There’s a pot-smoking, booze-shooting pregnant daughter, and a pervy, voyeuristic man of the cloth, just to name a duo. As is always the case, at least in the movie world, there are all kinds of tense relations amongst the family, especially during the holidays. Secrets and resentment play a big part in the overall story, but there’s enough dark humor thrown in to lighten the mood. Of course, there must be a ton of bad decisions made by everyone in the film, so it’s up to the badass mama to save the day.

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get nasty.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few strenuous political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and wail is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used swift and strong during this production, it’s still an entertaining glance to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the demonstrable and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Witnessed series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Witnessed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Spotted spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the succulent details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, demonstrating that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

See the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his demonstrate, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their display. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival starts like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Fluid Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on displaying tons of blood and guts.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice fluid isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juices man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a good amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery stud (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery boy, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery dude and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and display her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in mobility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice fluid man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juices Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legitimate!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Witness the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are cheerfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (observe the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily de-robe much of the suspense and pressure from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her bf; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a sophisticated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The fattest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is professionally rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m antsy to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a giant number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shivering forearms. It’s fairly a remarkable looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

Seabury Quinn was a product of his time and his writing was certainly not what one would call politically correct. Characters were often a collection of ethnic clichés, including de Grandin himself. He was so over-the-top French that he made Pepe le Pew seem like a Brooklyn cabbie. His dialogue was bursting with colorful French epithets and he often referred to himself in the third person: “Morbleu, this satan, he shall not get the best of Jules de Grandin!” As you read Quinn’s collected tales, the speech pattern is at very first amusing, then becomes wearisome and eventually an accepted and familiar quirk.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the activity takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied mitt, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. At times, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Good God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

These occasional scenes of fine violence and perversion expose Seabury Quinn as having a pretty demented mind when he desired to. In fact, one wonders how de Grandin and Trowbridge can even sleep at night, much less stay out of a sanitarium, with all the wonders and horrors they have witnessed!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but at times it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a hefty gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As I said earlier, the “nice” list about Crimson Christmas starts very first and foremost with the casting of Dee Wallace. She’s just a pleasure to see in just about anything. In Crimson Christmas, she plays a doting, loving mother/mother-in-law of a bunch of colorful characters. There’s a pot-smoking, booze-shooting pregnant daughter, and a pervy, voyeuristic man of the cloth, just to name a duo. As is always the case, at least in the movie world, there are all kinds of tense relations amongst the family, especially during the holidays. Secrets and resentment play a big part in the overall story, but there’s enough dark humor thrown in to lighten the mood. Of course, there must be a ton of bad decisions made by everyone in the film, so it’s up to the badass mama to save the day.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few powerful political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and wail is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in strenuous rotation with me once the holiday season starts. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used swift and intense during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Spotted series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there indeed wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the jummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and displaying a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his showcase, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their display. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival starts like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Fluid Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comes back to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and commences to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juices man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a superb amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery fellow (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery boy, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery dude and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and display her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in mobility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Kicking off at this point, The Ice Fluid Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthful people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty fiercely, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice fluid man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juice Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Fluid Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; See the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (observe the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily unclothe much of the suspense and strain from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her bf; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a sophisticated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The thickest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m antsy to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright scare inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a fat number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shivering arms. It’s fairly a luxurious looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character via and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp escapade than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied mitt, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Periodically, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Fine God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is never-to-be-forgotten horror!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but from time to time it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty visible that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a yam-sized gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

I guess I should begin this off by telling that I’ve never been a fan of Christmas, but I do love a Christmas horror film, my beloved being 1984’s Silent Night, Deadly Night. So, when Crimson Christmas was brought to my attention, it automatically piqued my curiosity. Not only is it a holiday slasher flick, but it also features the lovely Dee Wallace, who also serves as one of this film’s producers. So, is Craig Anderson’s Crimson Christmas the next ho-ho-holiday horror classic, or is it just ho-ho-horrible? Read on and find out.

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get crazy.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few powerful political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and yell is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in powerful rotation with me once the holiday season embarks. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to observe this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Eyed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used prompt and strenuous during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too gravely, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that indeed doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Eyed series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the delicious details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showcasing that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and demonstrating a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his demonstrate, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their showcase. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthfull campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juices Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on showcasing tons of blood and guts.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juices man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a superb amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery dude (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery boy, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery fellow and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in movability. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Juices Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice fluid man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice fluid man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legitimate!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; See the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are cheerfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily undress much of the suspense and strain from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her bf; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a sophisticated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The fattest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m antsy to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a panicking and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright funk inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a phat number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shuddering mitts. It’s fairly a cool looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

Seabury Quinn was a product of his time and his writing was certainly not what one would call politically correct. Characters were often a collection of ethnic clichés, including de Grandin himself. He was so over-the-top French that he made Pepe le Pew seem like a Brooklyn cabbie. His dialogue was bursting with colorful French epithets and he often referred to himself in the third person: “Morbleu, this satan, he shall not get the best of Jules de Grandin!” As you read Quinn’s collected tales, the speech pattern is at very first amusing, then becomes wearisome and eventually an accepted and familiar quirk.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character via and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied forearm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. At times, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Excellent God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

These occasional scenes of good violence and perversion expose Seabury Quinn as having a pretty demented mind when he dreamed to. In fact, one wonders how de Grandin and Trowbridge can even sleep at night, much less stay out of a sanitarium, with all the wonders and horrors they have witnessed!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but periodically it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a hefty gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get insatiable.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few intense political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and squeal is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used prompt and powerful during this production, it’s still an entertaining glance to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the demonstrable and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Witnessed series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there indeed wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the sweet details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, demonstrating that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

The three films collected in this box set ' two early Seventies ‘lost films` and a classic plague fright thriller ' showcase there`s more to the legendary director than simply gut-munching ghouls. The comedy romance There`s Always Vanilla, psychological thriller Season of the Witch, and infection horror The Crazies ' all filmed in and around Pittsburgh ' serve to display the broader thematic concerns and auteurist leanings of a skilled craftsman too often pigeonholed within the genre; that said, The Crazies is one of his strongest horror offerings, with memorable spectacles from Lynn Lowry and Richard Liberty.

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and displaying a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his demonstrate, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their showcase. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juices Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juice truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice fluid isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a excellent amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery stud (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery boy, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Juice Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legitimate!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are cheerfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily disrobe much of the suspense and stress from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as distress drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

The fattest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m anxious to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright scare inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a gigantic number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shivering mitts. It’s fairly a killer looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied mitt, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. From time to time, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Superb God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is memorable horror!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but periodically it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a giant gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few strenuous political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and shriek is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in mighty rotation with me once the holiday season embarks. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Spotted films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used quick and strong during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the demonstrable and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Eyed series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Eyed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the succulent details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Observe the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a rough spot. His finances have crumbled and his showcase, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their demonstrate. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival starts like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juices Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on showcasing tons of blood and guts.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comebacks to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and commences to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice fluid truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juices isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juices man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a good amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery dude (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery man, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery dude and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and demonstrate her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in movability. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are cheerfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (witness the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily disrobe much of the suspense and stress from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

The largest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is professionally rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m impatient to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a scaring and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multiplicity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a large number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shivering arms. It’s fairly a spectacular looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the activity takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied mitt, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. At times, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Good God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

These occasional scenes of superb violence and perversion expose Seabury Quinn as having a pretty demented mind when he dreamed to. In fact, one wonders how de Grandin and Trowbridge can even sleep at night, much less stay out of a sanitarium, with all the wonders and horrors they have witnessed!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but sometimes it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty visible that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a ample gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get insane.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few mighty political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and yell is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used rapid and strenuous during this production, it’s still an entertaining glance to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the demonstrable and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Witnessed series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Witnessed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there indeed wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the jummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showcasing that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

The three films collected in this box set ' two early Seventies ‘lost films` and a classic plague fright thriller ' demonstrate there`s more to the legendary director than simply gut-munching ghouls. The comedy romance There`s Always Vanilla, psychological thriller Season of the Witch, and infection horror The Crazies ' all filmed in and around Pittsburgh ' serve to display the broader thematic concerns and auteurist leanings of a skilled craftsman too often pigeonholed within the genre; that said, The Crazies is one of his strongest horror offerings, with memorable spectacles from Lynn Lowry and Richard Liberty.

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

See the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next scene in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their demonstrate. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthfull campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juices Truck Movie Review

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comebacks to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and commences to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice fluid truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juices man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a superb amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery stud (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery man, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery fellow and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and display her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in motility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Beginning at this point, The Ice Juice Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthful people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juice Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legitimate!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Witness the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily undress much of the suspense and pressure from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a sophisticated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The thickest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m impatient to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright funk inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a enormous number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shuddering forearms. It’s fairly a cool looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied forearm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Periodically, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Excellent God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is memorable horror!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but at times it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a yam-sized gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few intense political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and bellow is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to observe this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Spotted films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used rapid and mighty during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the demonstrable and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Spotted series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the sweet details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showcasing that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next scene in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his showcase, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their showcase. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthfull campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on showcasing tons of blood and guts.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice fluid isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juices man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a fine amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery fellow (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery boy, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery man and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and display her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in motility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Juices Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juice man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face evident, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juice Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Fluid Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Eighteen!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are cheerfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily de-robe much of the suspense and stress from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her bf; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a complicated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The largest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m anxious to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright funk inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a hefty number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quivering mitts. It’s fairly a wonderful looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp escapade than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied mitt, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Periodically, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Excellent God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but at times it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a big gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get kinky.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few powerful political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and shriek is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used quick and intense during this production, it’s still an entertaining glance to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that indeed doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Witnessed series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the succulent details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showcasing that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

See the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a rough spot. His finances have crumbled and his demonstrate, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their showcase. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthfull campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juices Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juices Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on demonstrating tons of blood and guts.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a superb amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery fellow (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery dude, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery dude and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and display her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in mobility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Fluid Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice fluid man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice fluid man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Fluid Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Eighteen!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Witness the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (witness the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily disrobe much of the suspense and pressure from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as distress drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a elaborate, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The largest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m anxious to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a panicking and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright funk inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a hefty number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quivering palms. It’s fairly a sexy looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp escapade than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied arm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. At times, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Fine God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is memorable horror!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but at times it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a gigantic gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few powerful political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and groan is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in mighty rotation with me once the holiday season commences. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to observe this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used prompt and strong during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Eyed series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Eyed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the succulent details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showcasing that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

The three films collected in this box set ' two early Seventies ‘lost films` and a classic plague scare thriller ' display there`s more to the legendary director than simply gut-munching ghouls. The comedy romance There`s Always Vanilla, psychological thriller Season of the Witch, and infection horror The Crazies ' all filmed in and around Pittsburgh ' serve to display the broader thematic concerns and auteurist leanings of a skilled craftsman too often pigeonholed within the genre; that said, The Crazies is one of his strongest horror offerings, with memorable spectacles from Lynn Lowry and Richard Liberty.

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and displaying a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Observe the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his demonstrate, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their display. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthfull campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Fluid Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comes back to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and commences to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juices man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice fluid man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a excellent amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery fellow (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery fellow, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery boy and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and display her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in movability. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Fluid Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juice Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Witness the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (witness the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily undress much of the suspense and stress from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a complicated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The fattest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m anxious to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright scare inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a enormous number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shuddering mitts. It’s fairly a cool looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied arm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. From time to time, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Fine God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

These occasional scenes of good violence and perversion expose Seabury Quinn as having a pretty demented mind when he desired to. In fact, one wonders how de Grandin and Trowbridge can even sleep at night, much less stay out of a sanitarium, with all the wonders and horrors they have witnessed!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but from time to time it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty visible that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a enormous gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get kinky.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few powerful political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and shriek is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Spotted films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used prompt and powerful during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too gravely, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that indeed doesn’t jive well with me is the demonstrable and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Spotted series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Eyed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Witnessed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the yummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and displaying a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Observe the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their demonstrate. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthfull campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival embarks like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juices Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on displaying tons of blood and guts.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice fluid truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juices isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice fluid man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juices man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a superb amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery stud (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery dude, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juice man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juice man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juice Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Eighteen!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; See the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are gladfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (witness the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily unclothe much of the suspense and pressure from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as distress drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a elaborate, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The largest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is professionally rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m anxious to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright funk inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multiplicity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a yam-sized number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shivering mitts. It’s fairly a beautiful looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

Seabury Quinn was a product of his time and his writing was certainly not what one would call politically correct. Characters were often a collection of ethnic clichés, including de Grandin himself. He was so over-the-top French that he made Pepe le Pew seem like a Brooklyn cabbie. His dialogue was bursting with colorful French epithets and he often referred to himself in the third person: “Morbleu, this satan, he shall not get the best of Jules de Grandin!” As you read Quinn’s collected tales, the speech pattern is at very first amusing, then becomes wearisome and ultimately an accepted and familiar quirk.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the activity takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp escapade than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied forearm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. From time to time, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Excellent God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but from time to time it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty visible that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a giant gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As I said earlier, the “nice” list about Crimson Christmas commences very first and foremost with the casting of Dee Wallace. She’s just a pleasure to witness in just about anything. In Crimson Christmas, she plays a doting, loving mother/mother-in-law of a bunch of colorful characters. There’s a pot-smoking, booze-shooting pregnant daughter, and a pervy, voyeuristic man of the cloth, just to name a duo. As is always the case, at least in the movie world, there are all kinds of tense relations amongst the family, especially during the holidays. Secrets and resentment play a big part in the overall story, but there’s enough dark humor thrown in to lighten the mood. Of course, there must be a ton of bad decisions made by everyone in the film, so it’s up to the badass mama to save the day.

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get kinky.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few intense political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and shriek is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to observe this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Spotted films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used rapid and intense during this production, it’s still an entertaining glance to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too gravely, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that indeed doesn’t jive well with me is the visible and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Eyed series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Witnessed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Spotted spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the yummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showcasing that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and displaying a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his demonstrate, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their demonstrate. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival embarks like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juices Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice fluid man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a good amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery fellow (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery man, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery man and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and demonstrate her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in motility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Kicking off at this point, The Ice Juice Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice fluid man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juice man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face evident, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juices Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legitimate!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are cheerfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (observe the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The thickest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is professionally rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m impatient to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a panicking and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright funk inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multiplicity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a large number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shuddering forearms. It’s fairly a stunning looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied palm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Sometimes, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Fine God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but from time to time it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty evident that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a ample gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As I said earlier, the “nice” list about Crimson Christmas starts very first and foremost with the casting of Dee Wallace. She’s just a pleasure to observe in just about anything. In Crimson Christmas, she plays a doting, loving mother/mother-in-law of a bunch of colorful characters. There’s a pot-smoking, booze-shooting pregnant daughter, and a pervy, voyeuristic man of the cloth, just to name a duo. As is always the case, at least in the movie world, there are all kinds of tense relations amongst the family, especially during the holidays. Secrets and resentment play a big part in the overall story, but there’s enough dark humor thrown in to lighten the mood. Of course, there must be a ton of bad decisions made by everyone in the film, so it’s up to the badass mama to save the day.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few powerful political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and wail is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used swift and intense during this production, it’s still an entertaining glance to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too gravely, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that indeed doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Witnessed series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Witnessed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the jummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a rough spot. His finances have crumbled and his showcase, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their display. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival starts like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Fluid Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Fluid Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comes back to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and commences to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juice truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juices isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juices man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juices man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a fine amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery fellow (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery stud, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery dude and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in movability. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice fluid man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice fluid man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juice Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (observe the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily disrobe much of the suspense and stress from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a complicated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The fattest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m anxious to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a panicking and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multiplicity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a phat number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quaking mitts. It’s fairly a luxurious looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

Seabury Quinn was a product of his time and his writing was certainly not what one would call politically correct. Characters were often a collection of ethnic clichés, including de Grandin himself. He was so over-the-top French that he made Pepe le Pew seem like a Brooklyn cabbie. His dialogue was bursting with colorful French epithets and he often referred to himself in the third person: “Morbleu, this satan, he shall not get the best of Jules de Grandin!” As you read Quinn’s collected tales, the speech pattern is at very first amusing, then becomes wearisome and eventually an accepted and familiar quirk.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the activity takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp escapade than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied mitt, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. At times, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Superb God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is never-to-be-forgotten horror!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but sometimes it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a large gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As I said earlier, the “nice” list about Crimson Christmas commences very first and foremost with the casting of Dee Wallace. She’s just a pleasure to see in just about anything. In Crimson Christmas, she plays a doting, loving mother/mother-in-law of a bunch of colorful characters. There’s a pot-smoking, booze-shooting pregnant daughter, and a pervy, voyeuristic man of the cloth, just to name a duo. As is always the case, at least in the movie world, there are all kinds of tense relations amongst the family, especially during the holidays. Secrets and resentment play a big part in the overall story, but there’s enough dark humor thrown in to lighten the mood. Of course, there must be a ton of bad decisions made by everyone in the film, so it’s up to the badass mama to save the day.

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get horny.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few strong political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and yell is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in mighty rotation with me once the holiday season starts. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used prompt and strong during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there indeed wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the tasty details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showcasing that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Observe the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next scene in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their demonstrate. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthfull campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Fluid Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on demonstrating tons of blood and guts.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juice truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice fluid isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice fluid man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a good amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery dude (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery dude, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery man and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in motility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Beginning at this point, The Ice Fluid Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthful people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice fluid man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice fluid man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Fluid Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (witness the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a complicated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The largest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m anxious to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a panicking and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a enormous number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quaking mitts. It’s fairly a cool looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the activity takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied forearm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Sometimes, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Superb God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but sometimes it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty visible that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a enormous gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get insane.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few powerful political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and bellow is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to observe this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used prompt and strenuous during this production, it’s still an entertaining glance to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too gravely, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that indeed doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Eyed series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Eyed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the succulent details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showcasing that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and displaying a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

See the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his showcase, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their showcase. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on displaying tons of blood and guts.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice fluid truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice fluid isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a good amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery boy (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery dude, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery stud and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and display her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in motility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Kicking off at this point, The Ice Juices Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juice man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juice man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Fluid Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; See the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are gladfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (witness the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a complicated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

Ravenous Monster

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright funk inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a giant number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shivering forearms. It’s fairly a gorgeous looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the activity takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied arm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. At times, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Good God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but sometimes it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a gigantic gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get wild.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few strong political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and bellow is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used quick and strenuous during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there indeed wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Witnessed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the jummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showcasing that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

The three films collected in this box set ' two early Seventies ‘lost films` and a classic plague scare thriller ' showcase there`s more to the legendary director than simply gut-munching ghouls. The comedy romance There`s Always Vanilla, psychological thriller Season of the Witch, and infection horror The Crazies ' all filmed in and around Pittsburgh ' serve to display the broader thematic concerns and auteurist leanings of a skilled craftsman too often pigeonholed within the genre; that said, The Crazies is one of his strongest horror offerings, with memorable spectacles from Lynn Lowry and Richard Liberty.

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Observe the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their demonstrate. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival starts like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juices Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comebacks to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and embarks to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice fluid isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice fluid man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a fine amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery fellow (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery stud, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery man and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and demonstrate her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in motility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Juice Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthful people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face evident, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juice Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (observe the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily disrobe much of the suspense and strain from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her bf; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a sophisticated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The fattest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m antsy to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a large number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shivering palms. It’s fairly a cool looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

Seabury Quinn was a product of his time and his writing was certainly not what one would call politically correct. Characters were often a collection of ethnic clichés, including de Grandin himself. He was so over-the-top French that he made Pepe le Pew seem like a Brooklyn cabbie. His dialogue was bursting with colorful French epithets and he often referred to himself in the third person: “Morbleu, this satan, he shall not get the best of Jules de Grandin!” As you read Quinn’s collected tales, the speech pattern is at very first amusing, then becomes wearisome and ultimately an accepted and familiar quirk.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied arm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Periodically, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Superb God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is memorable horror!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but sometimes it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty evident that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a hefty gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get wild.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few intense political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and groan is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used quick and strenuous during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that indeed doesn’t jive well with me is the demonstrable and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Spotted series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there indeed wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the jummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showcasing that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Observe the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a rough spot. His finances have crumbled and his demonstrate, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their display. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival starts like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Fluid Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on displaying tons of blood and guts.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comes back to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and embarks to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice fluid isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juices man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice fluid man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a fine amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery dude (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery stud, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery fellow and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and display her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in movement. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Kicking off at this point, The Ice Juice Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthful people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juice man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Eighteen!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Witness the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are gladfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (observe the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a complicated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The largest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m antsy to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a scaring and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright scare inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a enormous number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quivering arms. It’s fairly a stunning looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp escapade than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied forearm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Sometimes, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Fine God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but at times it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty visible that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a fat gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get insane.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few powerful political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and scream is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used prompt and powerful during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too gravely, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the demonstrable and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Spotted series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there indeed wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Witnessed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the tasty details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

The three films collected in this box set ' two early Seventies ‘lost films` and a classic plague funk thriller ' display there`s more to the legendary director than simply gut-munching ghouls. The comedy romance There`s Always Vanilla, psychological thriller Season of the Witch, and infection horror The Crazies ' all filmed in and around Pittsburgh ' serve to display the broader thematic concerns and auteurist leanings of a skilled craftsman too often pigeonholed within the genre; that said, The Crazies is one of his strongest horror offerings, with memorable spectacles from Lynn Lowry and Richard Liberty.

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and displaying a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their display. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival embarks like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juices Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on displaying tons of blood and guts.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juice truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juices man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a good amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery stud (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery dude, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Fluid Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Eighteen!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (observe the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily disrobe much of the suspense and strain from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her bf; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as distress drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a sophisticated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The thickest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is professionally rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m anxious to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a scaring and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright funk inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a ample number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quaking arms. It’s fairly a splendid looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

Seabury Quinn was a product of his time and his writing was certainly not what one would call politically correct. Characters were often a collection of ethnic clichés, including de Grandin himself. He was so over-the-top French that he made Pepe le Pew seem like a Brooklyn cabbie. His dialogue was bursting with colorful French epithets and he often referred to himself in the third person: “Morbleu, this satan, he shall not get the best of Jules de Grandin!” As you read Quinn’s collected tales, the speech pattern is at very first amusing, then becomes wearisome and eventually an accepted and familiar quirk.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied forearm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. At times, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Fine God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a phat gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few strenuous political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and groan is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in powerful rotation with me once the holiday season commences. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Eyed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used swift and strenuous during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Witnessed series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Witnessed series, as well.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the sweet details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and displaying a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

See the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their showcase. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival embarks like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on demonstrating tons of blood and guts.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comebacks to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and embarks to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juice truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juices isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice fluid man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a good amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery man (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery stud, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery stud and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and display her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in movement. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice fluid man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face evident, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juices Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Witness the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are cheerfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (witness the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily de-robe much of the suspense and pressure from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her bf; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as distress drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a complicated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The largest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m antsy to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright scare inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a meaty number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quaking arms. It’s fairly a luxurious looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character via and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp escapade than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied mitt, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. From time to time, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Good God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is memorable horror!

These occasional scenes of good violence and perversion expose Seabury Quinn as having a pretty demented mind when he wished to. In fact, one wonders how de Grandin and Trowbridge can even sleep at night, much less stay out of a sanitarium, with all the wonders and horrors they have witnessed!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but sometimes it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a phat gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few strong political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and shriek is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used quick and intense during this production, it’s still an entertaining glance to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that indeed doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Eyed series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Witnessed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the succulent details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and displaying a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

See the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his showcase, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their demonstrate. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival starts like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juices Truck Movie Review

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comebacks to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and starts to set up their fresh digs.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a excellent amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery dude (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery fellow, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery dude and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and demonstrate her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in maneuverability. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Embarking at this point, The Ice Fluid Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice fluid man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice fluid man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juice Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Witness the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (observe the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily undress much of the suspense and stress from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a complicated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The largest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is professionally rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m antsy to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a large number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quaking mitts. It’s fairly a cool looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied forearm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. At times, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Good God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but from time to time it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a thick gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few intense political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and yell is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used rapid and intense during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Eyed series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Witnessed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the jummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his showcase, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their display. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival starts like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Fluid Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Fluid Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comebacks to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and starts to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juices isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice fluid man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a good amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery stud (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery boy, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery dude and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and demonstrate her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in movability. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Juices Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthful people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice fluid man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face evident, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juices Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; See the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (witness the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily unclothe much of the suspense and stress from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as trouble drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a complicated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

Ravenous Monster

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a meaty number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quaking mitts. It’s fairly a luxurious looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied arm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Sometimes, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Excellent God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is memorable horror!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but periodically it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty evident that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a enormous gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get insatiable.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few intense political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and squeal is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used quick and intense during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the visible and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Spotted series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there indeed wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the sweet details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, demonstrating that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

See the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a rough spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their display. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juices Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comebacks to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and commences to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juice truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juices isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice fluid man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a fine amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery man (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery boy, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery stud and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in movement. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face evident, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Fluid Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Witness the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are gladfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (witness the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily unclothe much of the suspense and strain from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her beau; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as distress drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a complicated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The largest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m anxious to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

The city can be a scaring and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multiplicity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a yam-sized number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quivering mitts. It’s fairly a fantastic looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied palm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Periodically, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Superb God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is memorable horror!

These occasional scenes of excellent violence and perversion expose Seabury Quinn as having a pretty demented mind when he wished to. In fact, one wonders how de Grandin and Trowbridge can even sleep at night, much less stay out of a sanitarium, with all the wonders and horrors they have witnessed!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but from time to time it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a thick gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get kinky.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few intense political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and squeal is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used prompt and powerful during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that indeed doesn’t jive well with me is the visible and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Witnessed series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Witnessed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the sweet details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, demonstrating that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

See the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his showcase, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their display. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Fluid Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juice Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comes back to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and commences to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juices man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery man (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery boy, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery man and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and demonstrate her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in maneuverability. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juice man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty fiercely, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face evident, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Fluid Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legitimate!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are gladfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (observe the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily unwrap much of the suspense and stress from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her bf; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as distress drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate completes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a elaborate, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

Ravenous Monster

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright funk inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a ample number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quaking palms. It’s fairly a luxurious looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the activity takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied arm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Periodically, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Excellent God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but from time to time it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty visible that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a ample gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few mighty political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and shriek is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

In wrapping this up, I found this film to be watchable, but it’s not a movie that’ll be in strenuous rotation with me once the holiday season embarks. For a slasher movie, it hits all the usual marks, but the overall story is hit or miss. If you’re in the mood for some pre-holiday blood splatter, be sure to catch Crimson Christmas when it opens in theaters on August twenty five th !

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to observe this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Eyed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used rapid and strenuous during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the demonstrable and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Witnessed series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Witnessed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the delicious details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, demonstrating that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Observe the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his showcase, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their demonstrate. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival starts like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Fluid Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Fluid Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juice truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a fine amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery boy (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery dude, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery dude and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and demonstrate her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in motility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Kicking off at this point, The Ice Fluid Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juices Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Eighteen!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the total press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are gladfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Gremlin Movie Review

Gremlin, written and directed by Ryan Bellgardt, is a creature feature with a twist.

The story suffers from some near-fatal pacing errors, which unluckily disrobe much of the suspense and stress from the narrative. However, there are still places where the story shines: the awkward and utterly authentic relationship of the teenage daughter and her bf; the heartbreaking downward spiral of the wifey (Kristy k. Boone) as distress drives her over the edge; the determined police officer who recognizes that he`s in over his head with an investigation that’s not adding up. In turns shocking and heartfelt, violent and darkly funny, Gremlin is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Adam`s character arc is ultimately one of attempted redemption and self-sacrifice, as one might expect from the setup. He fights with matters of loyalty and overcoming the traumas of his past that have affected his marriage and relationship with his family. This wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked to see – there were liberate finishes regarding his backstory that I would have preferred to see resolved – but Hampton succeeds wonderfully in portraying a sophisticated, sympathetic yet at times reprehensible character.

The largest strength of Gremlin, and the thing that is worth the most praise, is the quality of its visual effects. The creature is masterly rendered and has smoother, more realistic CGI than I’ve seen in some big-name Hollywood movies. It’s a degree of grind that sets it apart from other indie productions, and I’m antsy to see what other creature features could be produced by this same team.

Ravenous Monster

We are introduced to Jane, the central character of Torment, as she sits on her sofa intently watching the opening sequence from Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. Her spouse John comes home from work. When he asks what she’s doing, she tells him, “It’s so beautiful. So continuously sad.”

That last sentence is a rather apt description of the latest film by Jason Figgis. Like his prior release, Don’t You Recognise Me? (2015), the themes of vengeance and the effects of senseless, brutal violence are front and center. However, this time around Figgis imbues the film with such overarching sadness that it affects the viewer in a fairly different and deeper way.

The film opens with the implosion of three yam-sized tower-like structures set to the tune of Gilleathain McLean and Ross Morris’s dour soundtrack. It is inviting to think that the towers represent the three characters who are the only living souls who populate this movie. Each of them has been leveled by events out of their control, and Torment examines the aftershocks.

Jack (Bill Fellows) winds down from a busy day. He has a glass of wine, a warm telephone conversation with his gf, and reads himself to sleep. He wakes up buried alive in a makeshift coffin with a built-in camera watching. He also finds himself the subject of a bizarre interrogation. His unseen captor rails that only “the truth” will afford him a chance of survival. Figgis ping-pongs inbetween this story and that of John and Jane, a duo devastated by the rape and murder of their youthfull daughter.

The most fascinating aspect of Torment is how it makes John and (especially) Jane’s suffering so much more potent than that of the man buried alive who is fighting for his life. Scenes showcasing Jane (soulfully played by Cora Fenton), so severely bruised by guilt and self-hatred, brutalizing herself are especially harrowing. John (a solid Bryan Murray) keeps soldiering on, attempting not to lose his wifey entirely to her demons. However, when we see Jane speaking consolingly to her lost child or screaming outside her bedroom door it is clear that he is losing ground.

The man-in-the-box story plays as more of a conventional horror trope. Accompanied by a menacing low frequency soundtrack drone, the camera nervously darts from close-ups of Jack’s eyes to the camera lens indicating his captor, to head shots of Jack as he attempts to cope with his perilous situation. Bill Fellows does a believable job as the victim, at turns pitiful, enraged, or perverse in response to his tormentor. Figgis clearly wants to ratchet up the force in these scenes. But strange to say, I felt the pressure ease every time the activity switched to his ordeal. My fear for John and Jane was stronger than my anxiety over what might happen to Jack.

When we come back to John and Jane the camera stays static for the hard-to-watch scenes. There is no buildup of strain needed because as the camera calmly observes Jane taking a razor to her scalp or spanking herself bimbo, there is no release. I think this is intentional.

Most viewers will quickly intuit that there has to be a connection inbetween the two stories, and they are right. But I don’t want to go to Spoiler Town in this review. You will have to see for yourself how the lumps fit together. I will say this much: Jane practices a dark epiphany that leaves her with the understanding that nothing exists that can heal her wounds. In this way Torment goes beyond Don’t You Recognise Me. After Jane has realized that vengeance won’t relieve her suffering the film cuts to what I think of as its real horror moment. John sits holding Jane in his arms as she writhes and screams through a fit of abject distress. Again, the camera makes us witness and, albeit it is about two minutes of screen time, it feels much longer. Eventually the scene completes, but it does not resolve. Jane has learned something but it takes her to an unbearably bleak reality that, for her, sadly shows up to be never ending.

You can very likely tell that going to see Torment may not be a fine choice for a very first date. Its subject is difficult, and Figgis discards the roller coaster rail aspects of the horror genre in favor of tracking the downward trajectory of his main character. Still, this movie is worth eyeing. Jane may be a lost soul, but the filmmakers make us feel her loss.

Ultimately, Torment’s unique achievement may be that it is at its scariest when it is not acting like a horror film.

Dark Cities Anthology Book Review

The city can be a panicking and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright scare inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multiplicity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a hefty number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quaking arms. It’s fairly a beautiful looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied mitt, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Sometimes, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Fine God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is memorable horror!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but periodically it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a phat gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few powerful political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and groan is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used quick and strenuous during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Eyed series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Eyed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Witnessed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the sweet details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, demonstrating that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthful drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their showcase. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthfull campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival embarks like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Fluid Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juices Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on displaying tons of blood and guts.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice fluid man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a good amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery man (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery fellow, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery fellow and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in maneuverability. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Fluid Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthful people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juice man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juice man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juices Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legal!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Witness the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are cheerfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (observe the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Ravenous Monster

We are introduced to Jane, the central character of Torment, as she sits on her sofa intently watching the opening sequence from Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. Her hubby John comes home from work. When he asks what she’s doing, she tells him, “It’s so beautiful. So continually sad.”

The film opens with the implosion of three meaty tower-like structures set to the tune of Gilleathain McLean and Ross Morris’s dour soundtrack. It is inviting to think that the towers represent the three characters who are the only living souls who populate this movie. Each of them has been leveled by events out of their control, and Torment examines the aftershocks.

The most fascinating aspect of Torment is how it makes John and (especially) Jane’s suffering so much more potent than that of the man buried alive who is fighting for his life. Scenes displaying Jane (soulfully played by Cora Fenton), so severely bruised by guilt and self-hatred, brutalizing herself are especially harrowing. John (a solid Bryan Murray) keeps soldiering on, attempting not to lose his wifey fully to her demons. However, when we see Jane speaking consolingly to her lost child or screaming outside her bedroom door it is clear that he is losing ground.

The man-in-the-box story plays as more of a conventional horror trope. Accompanied by a menacing low frequency soundtrack drone, the camera nervously darts from close-ups of Jack’s eyes to the camera lens indicating his captor, to head shots of Jack as he attempts to cope with his perilous situation. Bill Fellows does a believable job as the victim, at turns pitiful, enraged, or perverse in response to his tormentor. Figgis clearly wants to ratchet up the power in these scenes. But strange to say, I felt the strain ease every time the act switched to his ordeal. My fear for John and Jane was stronger than my anxiety over what might happen to Jack.

When we comeback to John and Jane the camera stays static for the hard-to-watch scenes. There is no buildup of pressure needed because as the camera calmly observes Jane taking a razor to her scalp or spanking herself stupid, there is no release. I think this is intentional.

Most viewers will quickly intuit that there has to be a connection inbetween the two stories, and they are right. But I don’t want to go to Spoiler Town in this review. You will have to see for yourself how the lumps fit together. I will say this much: Jane practices a dark epiphany that leaves her with the understanding that nothing exists that can heal her wounds. In this way Torment goes beyond Don’t You Recognise Me. After Jane has realized that vengeance won’t relieve her suffering the film cuts to what I think of as its real horror moment. John sits holding Jane in his arms as she writhes and screams through a fit of abject trouble. Again, the camera makes us observe and, albeit it is about two minutes of screen time, it feels much longer. Eventually the scene completes, but it does not resolve. Jane has learned something but it takes her to an unbearably bleak reality that, for her, sadly shows up to be never ending.

You can most likely tell that going to see Torment may not be a good choice for a very first date. Its subject is difficult, and Figgis discards the roller coaster rail aspects of the horror genre in favor of tracking the downward trajectory of his main character. Still, this movie is worth watching. Jane may be a lost soul, but the filmmakers make us feel her loss.

Ultimately, Torment’s unique achievement may be that it is at its scariest when it is not acting like a horror film.

Dark Cities Anthology Book Review

The city can be a scaring and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright fright inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and multitude of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a massive number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quaking arms. It’s fairly a gorgeous looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

Seabury Quinn was a product of his time and his writing was certainly not what one would call politically correct. Characters were often a collection of ethnic clichés, including de Grandin himself. He was so over-the-top French that he made Pepe le Pew seem like a Brooklyn cabbie. His dialogue was bursting with colorful French epithets and he often referred to himself in the third person: “Morbleu, this satan, he shall not get the best of Jules de Grandin!” As you read Quinn’s collected tales, the speech pattern is at very first amusing, then becomes wearisome and ultimately an accepted and familiar quirk.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the activity takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

In the five years covered in “The Horror On The Links” de Grandin and “Friend Trowbridge” find themselves in a dizzying array of fantastic situations. In the very very first case of “The Horror on the Links,” the duo confront the ape-men monstrosities created by a mad scientist. The next tale, “The Tenants of Broussac” is a wholly supernatural story that sees de Grandin fighting a malevolent ghost that takes the form of a giant snake. “The Island of Missing Ships” is a real anomaly that reads even more like a lurid pulp escapade than usual: de Grandin and Trowbridge are stranded on a tropical island ruled by a maniacal cannibal and his pet killer octopus!

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied arm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Sometimes, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Fine God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but sometimes it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty evident that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a phat gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Satan`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get insane.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few intense political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and wail is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious screenplay, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used quick and powerful during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Spotted spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the tasty details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantly recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Observe the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a raunchy spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their showcase. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthfull campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Fluid Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comes back to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and embarks to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juice truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juices isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a good amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery fellow (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery stud, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery dude and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and display her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in mobility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Juices Truck becomes a movie that’s chock total of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthful people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice fluid man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juices man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Fluid Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legitimate!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (observe the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Ravenous Monster

The film opens with the implosion of three enormous tower-like structures set to the tune of Gilleathain McLean and Ross Morris’s dour soundtrack. It is inviting to think that the towers represent the three characters who are the only living souls who populate this movie. Each of them has been leveled by events out of their control, and Torment examines the aftershocks.

The most fascinating aspect of Torment is how it makes John and (especially) Jane’s suffering so much more potent than that of the man buried alive who is fighting for his life. Scenes demonstrating Jane (soulfully played by Cora Fenton), so severely bruised by guilt and self-hatred, brutalizing herself are especially harrowing. John (a solid Bryan Murray) keeps soldiering on, attempting not to lose his wifey totally to her demons. However, when we see Jane speaking consolingly to her lost child or yelling outside her bedroom door it is clear that he is losing ground.

The man-in-the-box story plays as more of a conventional horror trope. Accompanied by a menacing low frequency soundtrack drone, the camera nervously darts from close-ups of Jack’s eyes to the camera lens indicating his captor, to head shots of Jack as he attempts to cope with his perilous situation. Bill Fellows does a believable job as the victim, at turns pitiful, enraged, or perverse in response to his tormentor. Figgis clearly wants to ratchet up the energy in these scenes. But strange to say, I felt the stress ease every time the activity switched to his ordeal. My fear for John and Jane was stronger than my anxiety over what might happen to Jack.

When we comeback to John and Jane the camera stays static for the hard-to-watch scenes. There is no buildup of strain needed because as the camera calmly observes Jane taking a razor to her scalp or smacking herself bimbo, there is no release. I think this is intentional.

Most viewers will quickly intuit that there has to be a connection inbetween the two stories, and they are right. But I don’t want to go to Spoiler Town in this review. You will have to see for yourself how the lumps fit together. I will say this much: Jane practices a dark epiphany that leaves her with the understanding that nothing exists that can heal her wounds. In this way Torment goes beyond Don’t You Recognise Me. After Jane has realized that vengeance won’t relieve her suffering the film cuts to what I think of as its real horror moment. John sits holding Jane in his arms as she writhes and screams through a fit of abject trouble. Again, the camera makes us observe and, albeit it is about two minutes of screen time, it feels much longer. Eventually the scene finishes, but it does not resolve. Jane has learned something but it takes her to an unbearably bleak reality that, for her, sadly emerges to be never ending.

You can most likely tell that going to see Torment may not be a fine choice for a very first date. Its subject is difficult, and Figgis discards the roller coaster rail aspects of the horror genre in favor of tracking the downward trajectory of his main character. Still, this movie is worth watching. Jane may be a lost soul, but the filmmakers make us feel her loss.

Ultimately, Torment’s unique achievement may be that it is at its scariest when it is not acting like a horror film.

Dark Cities Anthology Book Review

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright scare inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves indeed loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a hefty number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines total of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and quivering palms. It’s fairly a luxurious looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

Seabury Quinn was a product of his time and his writing was certainly not what one would call politically correct. Characters were often a collection of ethnic clichés, including de Grandin himself. He was so over-the-top French that he made Pepe le Pew seem like a Brooklyn cabbie. His dialogue was bursting with colorful French epithets and he often referred to himself in the third person: “Morbleu, this satan, he shall not get the best of Jules de Grandin!” As you read Quinn’s collected tales, the speech pattern is at very first amusing, then becomes wearisome and eventually an accepted and familiar quirk.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the act takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied arm, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf come in the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. Sometimes, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Good God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is never-to-be-forgotten horror!

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a thick gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get mischievous.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few strenuous political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and bellow is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can get through the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used prompt and strenuous during this production, it’s still an entertaining view to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that indeed doesn’t jive well with me is the visible and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Witnessed series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Eyed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the succulent details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Director Andy Palmer’s tale about reality TV ghost hunting gone wrong has some figurative heavyweights involved including producer Joe Dante (Gremlins) and starlet Danielle Harris (Halloween, Hatchet III). With an intriguing if not wholly original concept and a topnotch cast and squad, Camp Cold Brook has the makings of an indie horror hit.

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his showcase, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their demonstrate. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival embarks like any other scene. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular scene of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Fluid Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juices Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie sleek and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on demonstrating tons of blood and guts.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comes back to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and embarks to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juices truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juices isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice fluid man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice fluid man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'ideally plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward puny talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a fine amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery stud (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery man, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery fellow and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in motility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice fluid man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty aggressively, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice juice man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Eighteen!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are cheerfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (witness the film with its very first utter audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Ravenous Monster

The film opens with the implosion of three massive tower-like structures set to the tune of Gilleathain McLean and Ross Morris’s dour soundtrack. It is inviting to think that the towers represent the three characters who are the only living souls who populate this movie. Each of them has been leveled by events out of their control, and Torment examines the aftershocks.

The most fascinating aspect of Torment is how it makes John and (especially) Jane’s suffering so much more potent than that of the man buried alive who is fighting for his life. Scenes showcasing Jane (soulfully played by Cora Fenton), so severely bruised by guilt and self-hatred, brutalizing herself are especially harrowing. John (a solid Bryan Murray) keeps soldiering on, attempting not to lose his wifey totally to her demons. However, when we see Jane speaking consolingly to her lost child or yelling outside her bedroom door it is clear that he is losing ground.

The man-in-the-box story plays as more of a conventional horror trope. Accompanied by a menacing low frequency soundtrack drone, the camera nervously darts from close-ups of Jack’s eyes to the camera lens indicating his captor, to head shots of Jack as he attempts to cope with his perilous situation. Bill Fellows does a believable job as the victim, at turns pitiful, enraged, or perverse in response to his tormentor. Figgis clearly wants to ratchet up the force in these scenes. But strange to say, I felt the strain ease every time the activity switched to his ordeal. My fear for John and Jane was stronger than my anxiety over what might happen to Jack.

When we comeback to John and Jane the camera stays static for the hard-to-watch scenes. There is no buildup of strain needed because as the camera calmly observes Jane taking a razor to her scalp or smacking herself foolish, there is no release. I think this is intentional.

Most viewers will quickly intuit that there has to be a connection inbetween the two stories, and they are right. But I don’t want to go to Spoiler Town in this review. You will have to see for yourself how the chunks fit together. I will say this much: Jane practices a dark epiphany that leaves her with the understanding that nothing exists that can heal her wounds. In this way Torment goes beyond Don’t You Recognise Me. After Jane has realized that vengeance won’t relieve her suffering the film cuts to what I think of as its real horror moment. John sits holding Jane in his arms as she writhes and screams through a fit of abject trouble. Again, the camera makes us witness and, albeit it is about two minutes of screen time, it feels much longer. Eventually the scene completes, but it does not resolve. Jane has learned something but it takes her to an unbearably bleak reality that, for her, sadly shows up to be never ending.

You can very likely tell that going to see Torment may not be a excellent choice for a very first date. Its subject is difficult, and Figgis discards the roller coaster rail aspects of the horror genre in favor of tracking the downward trajectory of his main character. Still, this movie is worth observing. Jane may be a lost soul, but the filmmakers make us feel her loss.

Ultimately, Torment’s unique achievement may be that it is at its scariest when it is not acting like a horror film.

Dark Cities Anthology Book Review

The city can be a scaring and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright funk inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I loved all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly loving certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an amazingly prolific one. He wrote for a enormous number of the “pulps”…cheap, titillating magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shuddering forearms. It’s fairly a magnificent looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

De Grandin’s sidekick during his cases and the narrator of the stories is Dr. Trowbridge, the Watson to de Grandin’s Holmes. Trowbridge is a general practitioner in the fictional town of Harrisonville, Fresh Jersey, where much of the activity takes place. Trowbridge is a remarkably abate and stupid character across and very slow to accept the fantastic. Even after encountering untold wonders and horrors alongside de Grandin, he seems incapable to accept the supernatural explanation of events. He’s not an interesting character at all, but perhaps his dullness magnifies the energy and keen wit of de Grandin.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

The remaining stories see menaces such as a disembodied mitt, a cult of Egyptian fanatics, a Romanian vampire count and a female werewolf inject the fray. Often de Grandin comes to the rescue of a beautiful woman who is being victimized in some way. Always he applies his keen combination of scientific observation and occult skill to the case. At times, he unmasks human fraudsters using the supernatural to fleece their victims. “The Good God Pan” and “Mephistopheles & Co., Ltd.” are two such cases which are almost Scooby Doo-like when it comes to exposing the villains.

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but sometimes it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a meaty gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

As far as the gore goes, Crimson Christmas is an Aussie horror film, so by now, it’s pretty much a given that the blood and guts are typically over the top. There are some pretty decent original kills in this film and they’re fairly pleasant. Unluckily, some of the effects aren’t the greatest, but still, I’d rather see bad practical effects over a ton of crappy CGI any day. So, with that being said, it’s time to get horny.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasant had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s truly not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few strong political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and wail is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to sustain the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even however most of the people who are going to see this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Spotted films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used prompt and intense during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s truly all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too gravely, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the evident and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Spotted series. Several of the traps across the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Spotted series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Spotted spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the tasty details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A petite rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showcasing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Appalling Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

Witness the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the utter press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a harsh spot. His finances have crumbled and his showcase, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their demonstrate. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthful campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juices Truck Movie Review

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…a movie seemingly centered around ice cream…and blood. What’s better than watching such a movie on a hot-as-balls summer day? Thanks to the fine folks at Uncork’d Entertainment, and writer/director Megan Freels Johnston, I was given the chance to do just that. After viewing the trailer for The Ice Juices Truck, I had a feeling that watching the entire movie would be an practice. Was the practice of the movie slick and satisfying like a rich vanilla treat, or was it a rocky road all the way? Stick with me and read on.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comebacks to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and embarks to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice juice truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice juice man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice fluid man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women indeed doesn’t give a fine amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her hubby and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation completes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery boy (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery stud, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery dude and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthful in life, and plans are set in mobility. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Kicking off at this point, The Ice Juices Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthfull people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juice man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty cruelly, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice fluid man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juices Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Fluid Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Legitimate!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Witness the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are cheerfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

Ravenous Monster

The most fascinating aspect of Torment is how it makes John and (especially) Jane’s suffering so much more potent than that of the man buried alive who is fighting for his life. Scenes showcasing Jane (soulfully played by Cora Fenton), so severely bruised by guilt and self-hatred, brutalizing herself are especially harrowing. John (a solid Bryan Murray) keeps soldiering on, attempting not to lose his wifey totally to her demons. However, when we see Jane speaking consolingly to her lost child or screaming outside her bedroom door it is clear that he is losing ground.

The man-in-the-box story plays as more of a conventional horror trope. Accompanied by a menacing low frequency soundtrack drone, the camera nervously darts from close-ups of Jack’s eyes to the camera lens indicating his captor, to head shots of Jack as he attempts to cope with his perilous situation. Bill Fellows does a believable job as the victim, at turns pitiful, enraged, or perverse in response to his tormentor. Figgis clearly wants to ratchet up the power in these scenes. But strange to say, I felt the strain ease every time the activity switched to his ordeal. My fear for John and Jane was stronger than my anxiety over what might happen to Jack.

When we comeback to John and Jane the camera stays static for the hard-to-watch scenes. There is no buildup of stress needed because as the camera calmly observes Jane taking a razor to her scalp or spanking herself ditzy, there is no release. I think this is intentional.

Most viewers will quickly intuit that there has to be a connection inbetween the two stories, and they are right. But I don’t want to go to Spoiler Town in this review. You will have to see for yourself how the chunks fit together. I will say this much: Jane practices a dark epiphany that leaves her with the understanding that nothing exists that can heal her wounds. In this way Torment goes beyond Don’t You Recognise Me. After Jane has realized that vengeance won’t relieve her suffering the film cuts to what I think of as its real horror moment. John sits holding Jane in his arms as she writhes and screams through a fit of abject distress. Again, the camera makes us see and, albeit it is about two minutes of screen time, it feels much longer. Eventually the scene finishes, but it does not resolve. Jane has learned something but it takes her to an unbearably bleak reality that, for her, sadly shows up to be never ending.

You can very likely tell that going to see Torment may not be a excellent choice for a very first date. Its subject is difficult, and Figgis discards the roller coaster rail aspects of the horror genre in favor of tracking the downward trajectory of his main character. Still, this movie is worth eyeing. Jane may be a lost soul, but the filmmakers make us feel her loss.

Ultimately, Torment’s unique achievement may be that it is at its scariest when it is not acting like a horror film.

Dark Cities Anthology Book Review

The city can be a scaring and dangerous place. Dark alleys, strangers, crime, speeding vehicles, and even law enforcement can be potentially life menacing. Walking around the city at Three:00 am when there`s no one, or perhaps just the one other person in the shadows, can make one`s heart pound and quicken one`s step. There is something old and haunting in even the bricks and pavement themselves. It`s no surprise that the city is the backdrop for the brief stories in Dark Cities, an anthology of brief horror stories edited by Christopher Golden.

Other than the city backdrop, what the stories have in common is that they treat the city as almost another character. In a multitude of the stories the city is almost a living and breathing thing. In stories such as “In Stone” by Tim Lebbon and “Graffiti of the Lost and Dying Places” by Seanan McGuire the city may very well be alive and may very well be greedy. In this way, there is a cohesion to the myriad of tales collected in this anthology.

Each story is well written and interesting. The horror ranges from eerie to funny to cringe-worthy to downright scare inducing. With such a diversity of horror tones there`s something for every horror fan. While I liked all the stories, the tones are so varied that some readers may find themselves truly liking certain ones but not others. Even if this is the case, the quality and diversity of the stories should provide an ample amount of reading material to make Dark Cities a worthwhile read.

Dark Cities is available through Titan Books.

The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One Book Review

The name of Seabury Quinn will bring a flurry of quizzical looks from all but the most knowledgeable horror fans. But this author was once one of the giants in the field of horror fiction and his name sold more copy than Lovecraft, Howard and Bloch combined. Quinn was a lawyer, a journalist and a survivor of the real life horrors of the very first World War. But above all, he was a writer and an exceptionally prolific one. He wrote for a giant number of the “pulps”…cheap, arousing magazines utter of lurid tales.

Now the cloak of obscurity is going to be lifted by Night Shade Books. They have an ambitious plan to release every de Grandin tale ever told, in a series of five large volumes. And the very first of these volumes, “The Horror on the Links: The Accomplish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One” I now hold in my sweaty and shivering forearms. It’s fairly a cool looking book. It features all the De Grandin stories from one thousand nine hundred twenty five to 1930, exactly as they originally appeared. There’s also a very informative forward by Robert Weinberg (who sadly passed away shortly after the omnibus was finished) that gives you the background of Seabury Quinn and his most famous creation.

It’s the energy and sense of forward momentum that makes these stories so effortless to read. Quinn was not the greatest wordsmith ever, but he imbued all of the de Grandin stories, even the lesser ones, with a brisk tempo and no abate moments. He wrote in the pulp style that made the tales of The Shadow and Doc Savage, but with more refinement. He didn’t have the archaic phrasing of Lovecraft or the intense poeticism of Clark Ashton Smith, but he kept things zipping along.

The stories are very variable in quality. Some are very cleverly set up; others are more pedestrian in execution. Then there are some stories where Quinn injects a shock of gory and repellent violence into the equation. I was literally dumbfounded after reading “House of Horror,” which contains a description of human mutilation so grotesque that it surpasses most so-called “sick” films of later years. In this story, de Grandin and Trowbridge spend a night in a house where the seemingly respectable doctor wielding it conceals a hideous secret. And I mean, HIDEOUS! Almost as shocking was “The White Lady of the Orphanage” where our heroes detect a maniac who devours children. The scene where they burst into the kitchen of the cannibal killer is never-to-be-forgotten horror!

Once again, the stories are to be read with a large dose of historical context. Ethnic characters are described very broadly. The Irish in particular seem to be right out of the Fortunate Charms school of broad characterization. Sometimes this is mildly annoying, but sometimes it reaches disturbing levels. It’s pretty demonstrable that de Grandin…and Seabury Quinn as well…has the utmost contempt for East Indian culture and civilization, which comes out full-bore in stories like “The Vengeance of India” and “Ancient Fires”. This aspect of Quinn’s writing is sometimes hard to overlook.

There’s no doubt that Night Shade Books has done the horror community a big service with “Horror On The Links” and further collections of Seabury Quinn’s tales of Jules de Grandin. They help to pack a massive gap in horror history by bringing a forgotten author and his greatest creation back into the light. The next collection of de Grandin tales will be entitled “The Demon`s Rosary: The Finish Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume Two” and will be out September Five, 2017!

Crimson Christmas Movie Review

Crimson Christmas is the holiday tale of a mother fighting to protect her very dysfunctional family from an odd, black-robed figure who has serious mommy issues. And, once he’s essentially welcomed into the home for the holidays, what could possibly go wrong? After all, the soft-spoken, homicidal maniac just wants to read a heartfelt letter to his long-lost mother for Christmas. C’mon, it’s lovely weather for a “slay”-ride together, yeah? Now, gather ‘round and let me tell you what’s mischievous and what’s nice about Crimson Christmas.

Crimson Christmas might have been more pleasurable had it not been set during the time of year that it is. I don’t know, aside from the characters stating that it’s Christmas, there’s indeed not that much of a holiday feel to it. There are also a few intense political statements made within the story, which I feel kind of take away some of the joy of the movie. Another complaint is that the lighting in some of the scenes is so dark that it’s hard to make out what’s going on. My last bitch and wail is that at times, it’s hard to understand what is being said. The delivery of the dialog is up and down, and even when the killer speaks, it is difficult to understand what he’s telling more times than not.

Circus Kane Movie Review

Directed by Christopher Olen Ray (2-Headed Shark Attack, Mercenaries), the plot of Circus Kane is one we’ve seen numerous times before: A group of strangers comes together to spend one night in a mysterious script, only to be asked to get through the night. This group of folks is one we can all relate to in the horror community – online talents, memorabilia collectors, and actresses. The only problem is, even tho’ most of the people who are going to witness this film can relate to this cast of characters, none of these characters are effortless to like.

Balthazar Kane, played exceptionally well by Tim Abell, is the man hosting the night of fright. Kane is a circus ringleader who has been out of commission for fairly some time but has an idea that he hopes will get him back under the big top: invite said poor souls into his house of horrors and see if they can sustain the festivities. Circus Kane plays out like a love letter to the very first few Witnessed films, if they had been directed by Rob Zombie.

Visually, the film is appealing, from the aesthetic decisions behind the camera to the look of the characters on screen. While it’s clear that the Rob Zombie School of Horror Film Making is being used prompt and strong during this production, it’s still an entertaining look to behold.

The film doesn’t always find its footing or direction but what it lacks in cohesion at times, it makes up for with entertainment value for the most part. Frankly, when it comes to independent film, that’s indeed all you ask for in a low-budget horror flick. The film doesn’t take itself too earnestly, which helps it all work as well. The ending is uninspiring and it fights to pull off “the twist” and, ironically enough, that’s the only part in the film where a serious tone attempts to sneak its way into the script.

One thing everyone in the horror community can agree with is that we are tired of retreads, and while we’ve seen the basic plotline of this movie before, the thing that truly doesn’t jive well with me is the demonstrable and blatant bites Circus Kane takes from other film’s pies. The guests to the Kane compound are invited via golden tickets (I’m not kidding) and the antagonist uses filmed clips to torment and advise his guests of what’s going on, a la Jigsaw from the Spotted series. Several of the traps via the death house seem to have been ideas pulled from the editing floor of the Witnessed series, as well.

Written by James Cullen Bressack, Sean Sellars, and Zack Ward, Circus Kane gives what you put into it. The nods to other horror flicks tend to get a bit annoying after a while and there truly wasn’t a character worth rooting for, which left this movie feeling like a Zombie production even more. If you’re looking for a joy, sometimes gross, sometimes creepy but always entertaining horror flick, you’ll be pleasurably astonished with this one. If you’re looking for anything more than a stripped down and less effective Witnessed spin-off, you have walked into the wrong circus.

George A. Romero Inbetween NIGHT AND DAWN Box Set Coming October 24

For all the jummy details as well as links to preorder this top-notch set, please read on Horror Fans….

There`s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made inbetween Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extreme versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur… Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, demonstrating that albeit he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn`t define him.

Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)

Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

Youthfull drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems fated from the outset.

Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.

A puny rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal madness.

We like it because:

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were instantaneously recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and demonstrating a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

Limited Edition Contents:

' High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

' English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

' Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

' Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring fresh writing on the films

' Brand fresh 2K restoration from the original negative

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Brand fresh interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

' Digging Up the Dead ' The Lost Films of George A. Romero ' archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There`s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch Trailer

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Alternate extended cut

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' When Romero met Del Toro ' celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

' The Secret Life of Jack`s Wifey ' archive interview with actress Jan White

' Alternate Opening Titles

' Brand fresh 4K restoration from original film elements

' Brand fresh audio commentary by Travis Crawford

' Romero Was Here ' featurette revisiting The Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

' Never Before Seen BTS footage

' two thousand sixteen Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

' Alternate Opening Titles

Horrifying Sci-Fi Feature ANTI MATTER Debuts Trailer Ahead of September Release

Filmmaker Kier Burrow’s critically lauded horrific sci-fi feature Anti Matter is coming to VOD and select theaters in September from Uncork`d Entertainment.

Boasting art-house sensibilities and high-concept terror in the vain of films such as Jacob’s Ladder and Flatliners, Anti Matter also features a talented cast led by Yaiza Figueroa.

Anti Matter will hit select theaters and VOD on September 8.

See the trailer:

Joe Dante Production CAMP COLD BROOK to Starlet Danielle Harris

Read the total press release below, Horror Fans….

Produced by Warner Davis of Petri Entertainment, Gremlins alum Joe Dante and Mark Alan of Renfield Productions, and Jason Van Eman and Ross Marroso of Weathervane Productions, the movie tells of a reality TV squad that get more than they bargained for when they determine to film the next gig in the legendary Camp Cold Brook.

Reality TV producer and host, Jack Wilson (Chad Michael Murray), finds himself in a rough spot. His finances have crumbled and his display, “Haunt Squad”, is about to be cancelled. In a last-ditch effort to spark ratings to land a final season, he and his producers Angela (Danielle Harris) and Emma as well as their trusted cameraman Kevin choose the legend of Camp Cold Brook to save their demonstrate. The camp was host to a horrific incident, where the youthfull campers were drowned in a nearby creek twenty years ago. Their arrival commences like any other gig. Cameras are placed, lights spark to life, but this is not going to be a regular gig of pursuing errant noises and measuring for EVP. The terror here was real and the thirty are about to rise.

The Ice Juice Truck Movie Review

Very first off, I should tell you that this isn’t your typical horror movie. It’s more of a dark comedy with touches of horror thrown in. It’s an interesting suggesting to say the least. It undoubtedly wasn’t what I was expecting after watching the trailer, but I can appreciate what this film brings to the table. Megan Freels Johnston relies more on storytelling than on showcasing tons of blood and guts.

Basically, what we have is a story about a woman named Mary (Deanna Russo), who comebacks to her hometown due to her husband’s job relocation. Mary doesn’t seem too thrilled about coming back, and to make matters worse, she’s to set up house in the suburbs. She arrives in the neighborhood ahead of her spouse and children, who plan on joining her once school is out for the summer, and starts to set up their fresh digs.

While getting things squared away, she notices that there are strange things afoot in Suburbia. Very first and foremost, there’s the foreboding ice fluid truck that wanders the streets. It’s straight out of the 1950s and creepy, as is the mild-mannered, Good Humor-uniformed driver (Emil Johnsen). It should come as no surprise that the ice juice isn’t the only thing that makes the neighborhood scream. You see, the ice fluid man also swings a bloody scoop, and the occasional big knife, whenever the urge to kill random residents strikes him.

But wait, as if having a psychotic ice juice man wandering the neighborhood isn’t bad enough, along come…the neighbors'flawlessly plastic and badly nosey. Can we say Stepford? The women of the suburbs are busybodies, and they’re a little too excited to get Mary into their clutches. The awkward petite talk that takes place inbetween she and the neighbor women truly doesn’t give a good amount of insight as to what Mary’s all about, but we find out just enough.

A bit later, we hear a speaker phone conversation inbetween Mary and her spouse and her kids, and it’s stiff, instead of being spirited with the excitement of being together soon. After the conversation finishes, there’s a knock on the door, and there we see an intimidating figure who announces himself to be the furniture delivery dude (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Mary thinks it’s odd that there’s only one delivery fellow, but she shrugs it off and lets him do what he needs to do.

After a brief and awkward incident occurs inbetween the delivery fellow and Mary, the unexpected arrival of three giddy neighborhood ladies at her door makes Mary leave behind about what had just taken place. The women are there to invite Mary to one of their kid’s graduation parties to get her out of the house and showcase her a little bit of neighborly hospitality. She agrees to attend, telling that she hasn’t been out by herself in twelve years because she had her babies too youthfull in life, and plans are set in movement. Once the ladies leave, the smarmy delivery man comes out from some nook and cranny and attempts to pick up where he left off with Mary, who eventually kicks him out of her house so she can get ready for the neighborhood shindig. As she’s walking to the party location she meets Max, the hunky 18-year old guest of honor, along with his gf. A little chit-chat inbetween the three of these folks takes place before Max invites Mary to tag along to get high and have a beer before attending the party. Bring on the bad decisions.

Commencing at this point, The Ice Juice Truck becomes a movie that’s chock utter of bad decisions, mostly made by Mary and the midlife crisis she’s seemingly going through. Mary feels accepted and renewed by the youthful people who find her cool. For once, she doesn’t feel like only a wifey and mother. She feels attractive again because a boy who’s only a few years older than her own son is wanting to dip his cone into her sprinkles.

WAIT! WHAT?! Isn’t this supposed to be a movie about a crazy ice juices man railing around killing people?! Well, yeah, he makes an appearance here and there, and a few people DO get killed pretty fiercely, but this is not the primary concentrate of this movie. Oh, before I leave behind, there’s also a brilliant use of a milkshake blender during a climactic fight scene inbetween Mary and the ice fluid man towards the end of the movie. It’s kind of like the cherry on top of…everything else that happens.

While I do wish there had been more involvement from Emil Johnsen and Jeff Daniel Phillips for more creep factor, Deanna Russo does a fantastic job carrying the movie, and it’s still got a decent horror base. It also has the feel of a Lifetime Network thriller. The dark comedic bits are threw about in this story, and they’re not all in-your-face demonstrable, which is nice. I think overall The Ice Juices Truck is an original and engrossing movie.

Be sure to pursue down The Ice Juice Truck when it comes out in theaters and VOD on August Eighteen!

VOLUMES OF BLOOD: HORROR STORIES Comes to DVD/Blu-Ray August 1; Observe the Trailer Here

We have the utter press release, including the trailer, the release/special features details, and stills below! Read on, Horror Fans….

A popular ‘80s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night, a teenage left home alone meets a trick-or-treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are cheerfully married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a bday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror, how many stories does your house have?

Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories out August one from Dark Cuts.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Team Commentary Track

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

– Cast & Squad Commentary Track

– Premiere Night Audio Track (see the film with its very first total audience)

– VOBHS: Premiere Night featurette

– The Art of Killing – special effects featurette

– Brian Storm Memorial Movie

– From the Set: Escape Pod interview with Moses Moseley

– House by the Movie Store – behind-the-scenes featurette